Bridgestone India Private Ltd. (BSID), a subsidiary of the Bridgestone Corporation of Japan, has announced the start of production of truck and bus radial tyres at its Kheda plant in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. The inaugural function of the new facility was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, MP Government, Mr. Satya Prakash, and other senior Government officials on June 14.The facility, set up at an estimated investment of Rs. 170 crores, will achieve a capacity of around 200 tyres per day by December next. It will be raised to 400 tyres per day by July 2012.
Mr. Tanigawa, Managing Director of Bridgestone India, commented: “The starting of the truck and bus tyres production marks the beginning of the aggressive strategy of Bridgestone in the fast growing truck and bus radial tyres market in India”.
Demand for truck and bus radial tyres is expected to grow in view of the expansion of the expressways and other infrastructural facilities on the back of the robust economic growth of India. Bridgestone currently imports truck and bus radial tyres from Japan.Bridgestone India started its operations in India in 1998 and is currently producing 15,000 tyres per day for passenger cars and multi-utility vehicles at its existing facility at Pithampur with an estimated investment of about Rs. 820 crores employing around 1,500 people directly, apart from providing indirect employment to many others. The company is a leader in the passenger car tyres segment enjoying a premium position.
