Bridgestone Corporation said it would strengthen global competitiveness by consolidating its steel cord manufacturing to one site in Japan.
Two current Japanese steel cord production sites will be consolidated into the Saga plant. The Bridgestone Group currently produces steel cord for tyres at two sites in Japan: Kuroiso and Saga.
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“By consolidating the company’s domestic steel cord production to the Saga plant, Bridgestone will enhance production efficiencies and strengthen its global competitiveness,” the supplier said.
Consolidation of the two plants will begin immediately and is expected to be completed in late September 2014.
Upon completion of Saga consolidation, Kuroiso will be closed in late September 2014.
“Bridgestone has implemented a number of initiatives to help strengthen the competitiveness and overall profitability of the Kuroiso plant. However, due to intense competition in the steel cord production industry and ongoing competitiveness issues at the plant, the decision was made to close the facility and consolidate production to the Saga plant,” the company said.
