Bridgestone 'on track' with investment plans in Spain

Basauri, Spain – Bridgestone has confirmed its commitment to investment in Spain, saying it is progressing a previously announced upgrade programme unveiled earlier this year.

“Bridgestone Burgos remains committed to its investments,” said a company spokesperson in a statement to ERJ on 5 Dec.

As part of its 2025 plans, the company intends to execute a €45 million investment, which adds to the €33 million already invested in 2024, the statement added.

In March, Bridgestone disclosed plans to invest “up to €207 million” at its Burgos passenger car tire plant in Spain to "evolve" the manufacturing-mix at the factory to higher-value tires.

The comments were made in response to press reports suggesting that Bridgestone had halted the programme amid the intensifying automotive crisis in the country.

Increasing output of high-rim-diameter (HRD) tires (18” and above), the programme is to be carried out between 2024 and 2030 and is also expected to raise productivity there by around 20%.

Already one of the group’s largest passenger car tire plants globally, Burgos will also see a 75% increase in HRD tire capacity to over 7 million units/year. (ERJ report)

Bridgestone's operations in Spain have been hit by an ongoing automotive crisis in the country.

Last year, the group introduced a temporary employment regulation file (ERTE) to reduce production across its four manufacturing sites in Basauri, Burgos, Puente San Miguel and Usansolo.

In a statement to ERJ, the tire maker confirmed that it is now considering to discuss a secon extention of ERTE with unions for temporary production cuts between January to March 2025.

"The proposal is due to excess stock in the warehouses, which necessitates a reduction in production," said the company representative.