MORRISON, Tenn. — Bridgestone Americas Inc. is planning to expand capacity at its Warren County, Tenn., truck/bus tire plant by about 8 percent, to 9,400 tires a day by year-end 2020.
The $40 million project includes adding 32,000 square feet of manufacturing space to accommodate new equipment at the 28-year-old plant in Morrison, Bridgestone said. Groundbreaking is expected before year-end.
The expansion is in line with Bridgestone's efforts "to meet the evolving needs of fleet customers," said Eric Higgs, president, truck, bus and retread tires, U.S. and Canada, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.
"In addition to increasing capacity, this investment will improve our capability to deliver next-generation products that help make mobility more efficient."
Greg Harris, executive director, commercial manufacturing, Bridgestone Americas, called the Warren County plant one of his company's most productive plants and said the investment will allow it to "respond to changing global market trends and increased demand."
Bridgestone did not say how the expansion would affect employment, if at all. The plant, which has been recognized as an OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star site for its health and safety record, employs 933 production workers. They are represented by United Steelworkers Local 1155.