Upgrading at Bridgestone plant will boost output by 50%

Japanese concern Bridgestone, the world's leading tyre producer, is en larging its plant in Poznan at a cost of euro 60 million. The company plans to construct new production facilities, which should increase production capacity by about 50%. "After the investment we will be able to increase our output from 10,000 to 15,000 units per day and create 200 new jobs," said administrative director of Bridgestone Firestone Poland Mariusz Tarant. He added that the project should be completed in 2004, with the main subc ontractors being Poznan-based Budimex and Hochtief. Over 90% of production is exported to Western countries. "Our main customers are General Motors, Ford and Suzuki," Tarant said. Investment plans for the plant are part of an aggressive strategy of the Japanese concern to gradually increase production in about 12 out of its total 46 facilities around the world, which should be accomplished between 2003 and 2004. The plant in Poznan is one of the six Bridgestone's factories located in Europe and was taken over from Stomil in 1998. (Puls Biznesu, p. 4) M.M.