Bridgestone Canada Inc. will build an automated warehouse at the site of its passenger and light truck tire plant in Joliette, Québec. Bridgestone says the space, with a capacity of 500,000 tires, would cut transportation costs and help it feed the market with tires faster.
The investment is estimated at 56 million Canadian dollars ($45 million.) The warehouse is expected to open in early 2020. The company says the warehouse will utilize fully automated technology for tire storage.
This investment builds upon the expansion and modernization of the Joliette plant announced in 2016. This five-year, C$312 million ($250 million) project has a goal of increasing production to 20,000 tires a day by 2020.
“The construction of a highly technological warehouse demonstrates our commitment to use innovative solutions to optimize our operations to better serve our customers,” says Robert Verreault, Joliette plant manager. “The Joliette plant has been undergoing an exciting transformation for the past two years and this total investment underscores Bridgestone’s commitment to our team, the Lanaudière region and all North American customers.”
Erik Seidel, president of consumer replacement tire sales in the U.S. and Canada for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC, says, “We continue taking important steps to better deliver the high-value-added products our customers want and need. The new distribution warehouse will provide more space to house tires onsite at the Joliette plant, improving the ability to get the right tires to the right place at the right time.”
As one of Bridgestone's most environmentally sustainable plants, the Joliette facility is committed to preserving nearby 7-hectare wetlands on its property, and that has influenced the design of the warehouse. The new 127-foot tall building will be built close to the existing plant facility and be attached by a walkway.
The Joliette plant employs 1,300 people.
For more company news, visit www.BridgestoneAmericas.com.
