Bridgestone Closes Plant Ahead of Schedule

Bridgestone Americas Inc. ended operations at its LaVergne, Tenn., plant nearly a month before the factory was scheduled to close.

Operations at the TBR tire plant ceased on July 2, according to a statement from Bridgestone. The plant was scheduled to close on July 31.

"The LaVergne team’s commitment to performance, efficiency and delivering on commitments enabled us to execute against the set targets earlier than anticipated,” say Bridgestone officials. “In the spirit of continuing to operate in good faith, teammates are being given the remainder of the month to transition either into retirement or a new career. Additionally, Bridgestone is working with local agencies on additional ways to help teammates who are interested in finding new employment."

The decision to shutter the plant “is part of the company’s strategic initiatives to optimize its business footprint, strengthen its competitiveness and enhance the quality of the company’s U.S. operations,” said Bridgestone officials this past January.

"While adapting to the challenges of the business environment as Bridgestone continues to strengthen its core premium tire business and sustainably create social and customer value, further optimization of its business footprint and costs become increasingly essential. Therefore, the decision to close the LaVergne plant has been made."

The closing of the LaVergne plant impacted 700 employees.

According to MTD’s newly released 2025 Facts Issue, Bridgestone’s LaVergne plant, which opened in 1972, has the capacity to build 3,100 TBR tires per day. It was one of two Bridgestone TBR tire plants in the United States. The other, Bridgestone’s plant in Warren County, Tenn., can produce 9,400 TBR tires per day at full throttle, according to MTD research.