Bridgestone To Double Aircraft Radial Production

Bridgestone Corporation has announced that it will begin production of radial tyres for aircraft at its Tokyo Plant. To date, production for new radial aircraft tyres has been undertaken only at the Kurume Plant, and Bridgestone will introduce a second site to increase capacity in line for meeting global demand growth and thus to ensure supply risk management. Through this move, Bridgestone’s production capacity for radial aircraft tyres by 2011 will be double the current level. Bridgestone plans to start production at the Tokyo Plant in the second half of 2008. Total investment earmarked for the project is around five billion Yen (33.5 million euros).

Aircraft Tyres reflect the true comprehensive and advanced technical capability of a tyre manufacturer as they are used under repeatedly severe conditions during take-off and landing, while supporting the weight and speed of the aircraft. Bridgestone’s radial aircraft tyres have been employed on the giant, state-of-the-art Airbus A380. They have also been fitted as standard equipment on all next-generation Boeing 787 airplanes, which are scheduled to start flights in 2008. Besides supplying tyres to aircraft makers, Bridgestone has proven results in delivering replacement tyres to airline companies worldwide.

Bridgestone forecasts further growth in sales of radial tyres for aircraft in the future. In addition to increasing production capacity of these tyres, it has decided to begin production at the Tokyo Plant to reduce supply risk through the use of multiple production sites.