Bridgestone Commences Mass Production and Shipping of Runflat Tires at Tire Plant in South Africa
Tokyo (October 5, 2007) – Bridgestone Corporation announced today that Bridgestone South Africa (Pty) Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bridgestone South Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd., started mass production and shipping of runflat tires at its tire plant in Brits. Bridgestone South Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd. is a holding company which is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation for South Africa. The runflat tires being produced are 205/55R16 TURANZA ER300, and approval has been gained to use them on new BMW 3 Series automobiles produced in South Africa.
The Brits Plant started operation in 1971 with the production of radial tires for passenger cars, light trucks, and trucks and buses, predominantly supplying the South African market. With the start of production and shipping at the Brits Plant, Bridgestone Group now boasts a quadripartite production system of runflat tires spanning Japan, the United States, Poland and South Africa. A special ceremony was held at the Brits Plant on September 13 to celebrate the start of mass production and BMW approval.
Bridgestone Group recognizes runflat tires as strategic products. As runflat tires can also contribute greatly to safety, Bridgestone will strive to further permeate and expand the market. Bridgestone Group seeks to achieve stable supply of high-quality runflat tires to automakers and drivers the world over going forward.
The Brits Plant started operation in 1971 with the production of radial tires for passenger cars, light trucks, and trucks and buses, predominantly supplying the South African market. With the start of production and shipping at the Brits Plant, Bridgestone Group now boasts a quadripartite production system of runflat tires spanning Japan, the United States, Poland and South Africa. A special ceremony was held at the Brits Plant on September 13 to celebrate the start of mass production and BMW approval.
Bridgestone Group recognizes runflat tires as strategic products. As runflat tires can also contribute greatly to safety, Bridgestone will strive to further permeate and expand the market. Bridgestone Group seeks to achieve stable supply of high-quality runflat tires to automakers and drivers the world over going forward.
Details of Bridgestone South Africa (Pty) Ltd. And Brits plant follow.
Overview of Bridgestone South Africa (Pty) Ltd.
Runflat tire
Runflat tires continue to function safely at a specified speed for a specified mileage after losing air pressure under normal conditions at 0kPa air pressure. Runflats have been developed for the purpose of ensuring safety in the event of a sudden loss of pressure as with a puncture. In addition, runflats eliminate the need for carrying a spare tire. This contributes to fuel economy through weight-savings, and it gives automakers greater latitude in designing vehicles. Eliminating the spare tire also reduces rubber consumption and rubber scrap. Bridgestone group's runflat tires are installable on conventional wheels.
Overview of Bridgestone South Africa (Pty) Ltd.
| Company name | Bridgestone South Africa (Pty) Ltd. |
| Location | Corner Quality & Isando Roads, Isando, 1600 P.O. Box 7036 Johannesburg 2000, Republic of South Africa |
| Representative | Yasuhiro Ito (CEO) |
| Brits Plant start of operation | February 1971 |
| Site | 186,000m2 |
| Products | Radial tires for passenger cars, light trucks, and trucks and buses |
Runflat tire
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Runflat tires continue to function safely at a specified speed for a specified mileage after losing air pressure under normal conditions at 0kPa air pressure. Runflats have been developed for the purpose of ensuring safety in the event of a sudden loss of pressure as with a puncture. In addition, runflats eliminate the need for carrying a spare tire. This contributes to fuel economy through weight-savings, and it gives automakers greater latitude in designing vehicles. Eliminating the spare tire also reduces rubber consumption and rubber scrap. Bridgestone group's runflat tires are installable on conventional wheels.
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in wide variety of applications, it manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.