Expansion of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operation＇s plant in Warren County, Tenn., will result in 900 additional bus and truck tires produced per day, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2013.

 

The expansion represents a $36.6 million investment since 2011 and will create 45 full-time and other contractor positions. The total capacity of the plant is now 9,000 tires per day.

 

Steve Shelton, senior vice president, technology, manufacturing and procurement, said the increase in production will help the company keep up with the demand in the market and meet the needs of customers seeking Bridgestone and Firestone truck and bus tires.

 

The Warren County plant, which began to operate in 1990, became the first tire plant in the world to earn the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2008. Today, it is one of two LEED-certified tire plants in the world.

 

The facility also has been recognized as an OSHA Voluntary Protection Program Star site, awarded to companies that have excellent safety and health management systems and injury rates that are below the industry＇s national average.