Bridgestone Begins Production of Radial Tires for Aircraft at Tokyo Plant
- Further Strengthens Company's Focus on Strategic Products -
Tokyo (August 26, 2008) - Bridgestone Corporation (“Bridgestone”) started production of new radial aircraft tires at its Tokyo Plant this month after completing the initial phase of the project which began with the announcement of the initiative in September 2006. Once the Tokyo Plant project is fully completed by the end of 2011, Bridgestone plans to boost overall production capacity of new aircraft tires by around 2.5 times relative to the current level.
Historically, Bridgestone has produced new radial tires for aircraft only at its Kurume Plant, but Bridgestone decided to commence production at its Tokyo Plant in order to meet the growth in global demand.
Bridgestone's radial aircraft tires have been fitted on the giant, state-of-the-art Airbus A380, and are also standard equipment on all next-generation Boeing 787 airplanes. The Tokyo Plant will produce and supply radial tires for both of these aircraft.
Aircraft tires are subjected to harsh operating conditions imposed by repeated takeoffs and landings, while supporting heavy passenger airliners traveling at high speeds. As such, the development of aircraft tires requires a tire manufacturer to apply advanced technologies across the board. The Bridgestone Group also recognizes the supply of retread tires and services as a crucial part of aircraft tire business. The Bridgestone Group has retread aircraft tire plants in North America, Europe, Asia and Japan and offers comprehensive products and services combining support for both new and retread tires.
The Bridgestone Group considers radial aircraft tires as strategic products and will focus on aggressively increasing its presence in this growing market and expanding its business by leveraging the company's strong competitive advantages.
Historically, Bridgestone has produced new radial tires for aircraft only at its Kurume Plant, but Bridgestone decided to commence production at its Tokyo Plant in order to meet the growth in global demand.
Bridgestone's radial aircraft tires have been fitted on the giant, state-of-the-art Airbus A380, and are also standard equipment on all next-generation Boeing 787 airplanes. The Tokyo Plant will produce and supply radial tires for both of these aircraft.
Aircraft tires are subjected to harsh operating conditions imposed by repeated takeoffs and landings, while supporting heavy passenger airliners traveling at high speeds. As such, the development of aircraft tires requires a tire manufacturer to apply advanced technologies across the board. The Bridgestone Group also recognizes the supply of retread tires and services as a crucial part of aircraft tire business. The Bridgestone Group has retread aircraft tire plants in North America, Europe, Asia and Japan and offers comprehensive products and services combining support for both new and retread tires.
The Bridgestone Group considers radial aircraft tires as strategic products and will focus on aggressively increasing its presence in this growing market and expanding its business by leveraging the company's strong competitive advantages.
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a 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.