Complete Story
12/11/2019
Bridgestone Gives Peek At New Race Tire Plant In Akron
Source: Tire Business
And Ms. Adams, the director of Race Tire Engineering and Production at Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations and Firestone Racing, wasn't alone.
All of the tires for the series will be produced at the new facility, which is expected to be on stream early next year with testing of race tires to began late next year.
The company said it will take about four years to fully integrate the new site. One official added that there is a lot of new technology being used in the facility, but it will be rolled out slowly to maintain consistency as the company transitions tire production to the new site.
When fully operational, the facility will produce around 30,000 race tires a year, the company said.
Bridgestone also invited famed driver Mario Andretti to the event. Mr. Andretti said he has been working with the company since 1968, when as a rookie driver he joined a race team that help develop and provide feedback on Firestone tires.
Mr. Andretti said Indy drivers push tires through "rigorous" testing, and he felt a sense of pride for the knowledge he learned over the years working with the company.
The facility's main purpose will be to produce the Firehawk tires for the NTT IndyCar Series. Though, the company indicated there would be space to expand at the new site.
The new plant will employ more than 50 race tire builders and manufacturing professionals, who work in the company's current race tire plant, located a mile or so north in the original Firestone Plant One building, Ms. Adams said.
Mr. Trigui said the company would also be able to work on some experimental tires in the facility, which is advantageous since the Bridgestone Americas Technical Center is just a few blocks away.
The company broke ground in August on the facility. The project includes the renovation of an existing tire-testing facility, plus new construction. Bridgestone did not disclose its investment in the new factory.
Bogner Construction Co. of Wooster, Ohio, is the project's contracted construction partner.