Bridgestone Opens More Sustainable Race Tire Production Facility in Akron

Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) today celebrated the grand opening of its new Advanced Tire Production Center (ATPC) in Akron, Ohio. Home to 60 expert tire builders and manufacturing professionals, the ATPC will manufacture all Firestone Firehawk race tires for the NTT INDYCAR® SERIES.

The new ATPC continues a legacy of tire manufacturing in Akron that began with the founding of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in 1900. Bridgestone invested more than $21 million to build its new home for race tire production, which includes both new construction and the redevelopment of an existing structure. Located across the street from the Bridgestone Americas Technology Center, one of three major R&D centers for Bridgestone globally, the 80,000 square-foot ATPC features state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies to advance innovation in race tires. The ATPC will also manufacture small batches of specialty, prototype tires for testing and development purposes for both racing and on-road applications.

“The new ATPC is a reflection of both our proud history in Akron and racing while also exemplifying our company’s vision for sustainability in all aspects of our business,” said Paolo Ferrari, President & CEO, Bridgestone Americas. “For more than a century, Akron has been where our most advanced tires have been conceived, designed and built, and now we are furthering this legacy in a more sustainable production environment where the world’s best engineers, technicians and master tire builders will shape the future of tires and racing.”

Commitment to Sustainability  

Designed for more efficient and sustainable race tire production, the new ATPC uses 60 percent less energy than the company’s previous race tire manufacturing facility. Design and specification enhancements contributing to the increased efficiency include a more compact building footprint, insulated roofing, a more efficient boiler system, and high-mounted LED lighting throughout the plant. Additionally, Bridgestone has purchased carbon offsets to cover the balance of its energy use to achieve carbon neutral operations at the ATPC, supporting the company’s global goal to be carbon neutral by 2050.

Commitment to Akron

The ATPC is part of a series of investments Bridgestone is making in its Akron operations. In November 2021, the company announced a $6 million investment for the construction of a new test track adjacent to the ATPC to support passenger tire testing and development. The test track is scheduled to be completed in Fall 2022. Bridgestone has invested more than $125 million in its Akron operations since 2012, when the company opened the all-new Bridgestone Americas Technology Center.

To celebrate the company’s recent investments in Akron and the official opening of this premier production facility, Akron Mayor Daniel Horrigan, Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro, and Ohio State Representative Emilia Sykes joined Bridgestone leaders and employees at a grand opening event held at the facility. Racing legend Mario Andretti, who started his career on Firestone tires nearly 60 years ago, was also in attendance.

“I’d like to thank Bridgestone for their ongoing commitment to the city of Akron,” said Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan. “Akron’s history is undoubtedly intertwined with Bridgestone’s and I’m honored to help open the new Advanced Tire Production Center here. I look forward to Bridgestone’s continued success in Akron.”

Commitment to Motorsports

Each season, more than 25,000 Firestone Firehawk race tires made in Akron are supplied to the NTT INDYCAR® SERIES. Part of Bridgestone since 1988, Firestone has been the exclusive tire supplier for the premier open-wheel racing series in North America for the past 23 seasons, and its history in racing dates back to winning the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911.

As further proof of its commitment to motorsports, Firestone is proud to announce it will become the sole tire supplier for the Indy Lights Series starting in 2023. The ATPC will manufacture all tires for the Indy Lights Series.

The grand opening of the ATPC aligns with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment, which establishes eight values starting with the letter “E” to solidify Bridgestone’s commitment to a more sustainable world. The start of operations at the new ATPC aligns with the “Emotion” and “Energy” values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment.

Source: Bridgestone