Bridgestone Announces $550M Manufacturing Investment

Bridgestone’s Warren County plant. Image courtesy of Bridgestone Americas, Inc

Bridgestone America and state officials have announced a new $550 million expansion of its truck and bus radial tire plant in Morrison, Tenn.

The expansion and modernization plan for the existing plant will increase its size by 850,000 square feet and add 380 new jobs to the Morrison market. 1,100 people are already employed at the plant. This will bring Bridgestone to a total of nearly 10,000 U.S.-based manufacturing workers.

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The Warren County Tire Plant opened in 1990. It is currently 2 million square feet and will increase to more than 2.8 million square feet after construction is completed, in May 2024. The plant is already one of the firm’s most productive global operations, producing its 70 millionth tire in late 2021.

Following the expansion, the Warren County plant will be able to handle an increased capacity as well as integrate more modern technologies. All tires produced will have RFID (radio frequency identification) tags allowing for better asset management and retreading. AI control technology will be implemented to increase productivity and better utilize manufacturing knowledge and data. Further technology incorporated will aid with digital readiness in tires, such as the integration of tire-mounted sensors for data insights on efficient fleet management.

These new advancements will help Bridgestone reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. In 2004, the Warren County tire plant site became a certified wildlife habitat, dedicating 680 acres to local nature and wildlife. Local students from the Warren County schools visit the site for classes and trail walks.

Tennessee industrial expansion

In prepared remarks, McWhorter said that Tennessee’s strong workforce as well as business-oriented climate is attracting corporations. Bridgestone has been present in Tennessee for four decades, while other companies are currently building there as well.

In March Oak Street Real Estate Capital funded a $90 million construction facility for Portobello America east of Nashville, Tenn. Amazon announced plans in 2021 to break ground on its 8th Tennessee fulfillment center in 2022.