Bridgestone taps 'modular' tire manufacturing technology

Tokyo – Bridgestone Corp. is introducing a highly modularised approach to production across multiple tire manufacturing plants over the next two years.

Called BCMA ('Bridgestone commonality modularity architecture'), the concept is designed to modularise complex tire components in three sections: carcass, belt and tread.

BCMA will, thereby, enable the sharing of tire development modules, simplify supply-chains and allow more agile R&D and production, a Bridgestone spokeswoman explained to ERJ.

To introduce BCMA, Bridgestone will next "clarify the roles" of 50 tire plants worldwide in its development and application,” the group's representative added in a 17 Aug written statement.

Furthermore, the Japanese tire maker will integrate BCMA with its Enliten technology across its design, manufacturing and R&D activities.

“The combination of BCMA and Enliten technology [will enable] a high degree of customisation,” according to a Bridgestone statement.

The goal is to bring about what Bridgestone described as an “ultimate customisation of tire performance by market and by customer."

According to Bridgestone, BCMA has already been applied to three passenger tire product brands for the Japanese market (VRX3, Ecopia NH200 and Newno) and will in the future be applied to Enliten products.

Bridgestone declined to provide further details about the technologies behind BCMA or its impact on production costs.