Bridgestone-Firestone expands Poznan plant's capacity

Japanese tire producer Bridgestone-Firestone (BF) intends to spend zl. 200 million on expanding its production plant in Poznan with the creation of 200 new jobs. BF plans to increase its capacity from 10,000 to 15,000 tires a year by the end of 2004, however action by former landowners, who filed claims regarding two plots adjacent to the factory site, may delay or even jeopardize the project. "The final budget has not yet been set, but based on a tentative cost analysis we estimate that it will exceed zl. 200 million, taking into consideration the best possible source of financing," said Bridgestone-Firestone chairman Takigawa Hiroyoshi, adding that the decision to develop the Poznan plant was in response to favorable national prospects. Nevertheless, according to analysts, the future of Poland's new tire market is limited by disappointing new car sales. In relation to difficult market conditions, such producers as Michelin, Goodyear and even BF itself, direct 60% to 70% of their output abroad. (Puls Biznesu, p. 6), M.T.