Bridgestone Aiken plant marks 25 years in operation

GRANITEVILLE, S.C. — Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations L.L.C.'s car and light truck tire plant in Graniteville recently celebrated 25 years of operation.

The Aiken County tire plant, which employs more than 1,700, began producing tires for original equipment manufacturers and retail in 1998. Bridgestone noted that the Aiken plant is among the company's global plants adding the capability to produce the Enliten technology stack, which is optimized for rolling resistance and wear.

"As we celebrate 25 years of manufacturing, we are thankful for our dedicated team who is directly responsible for delivering the best-in-class passenger and light truck tires our customers know and expect from Bridgestone," Scott Damon, chief operating officer, Bridgestone Americas, said.

"The Aiken passenger team is among the top plants in Bridgestone's global manufacturing footprint.The impact our teammates make through the products they manufacture is at the core of our business, and we couldn't do it without this team's drive to continuously improve our operation and serve the community."

The plant has a rated nameplate production capacity of 36,500 tires a day, making it the company's largest consumer tire factory in North America, according to data published in the 2023 Global Tire Report.

The plant underwent a major upgrade and expansion in 2013, when Bridgestone invested $346 million to boost capacity 50%. Graniteville is a "census-designated" place in Aiken County in southwest South Carolina with a population of about 2,600.

Throughout its 25 years in operation, the Aiken plant and its staff have worked toward achieving Bridgestone's "E8 Commitment" values (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease, and Empowerment), the company said. The Aiken plant has received several certifications for safety leadership and environmental responsibility.

The plant was LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council and is a certified WAIT (Wildlife and Industry Together) partner with the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. In addition, Bridgestone offers a variety of programs through its onsite learning center in Aiken County, where it provides free community outreach and training as part of Bridgestone Environmental Education Program.

In 2021, Bridgestone announced the company's first ground-based solar array that directly powers the manufacturing process at the plant. Also in 2021, the plant achieved South Carolina Palmetto Star Recertification, being recognized as an OSHA Voluntary Protection Program, which recognizes employers who have implemented safety and health management systems to reduce employee injury rates and is patterned after the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration Voluntary Protection Program.

"Year over year, the Aiken Passenger Tire Plant continues to play an important role in the local community through its support of nonprofit organizations, including the United Way of Aiken County, American Heart Association, Aiken County Public Schools and Golden Harvest Food Bank," the company said.

Earlier this year, the Aiken County Chamber of Commerce presented Bridgestone with the Large Business of the Year Award.

"This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our teammates in Aiken County and their continued commitment to making mobility more efficient for our customers," Barry Owens, senior vice president, Bridgestone Americas Manufacturing Group, said. "We look forward to the next 25 years of operation in Aiken County."

Bridgestone also has operated an off-the-road tire plant in Aiken County, in nearby Trenton, since 2013, producing large and ultra-large radial OTR tires.