Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) announced that its air springs manufacturing factory in Williamsburg, Kentucky, will be expanded. The $51 million investment in Firestone Industrial Products (FSIP) will help fulfil market demand in the automotive vehicle market, with an emphasis on the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The facility's expansion is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of this year and be completed by the end of 2022.
The focus of the expansion will be on adding 68,000 square feet of manufacturing space to accommodate new equipment that will boost factory capacity. This investment will also result in a 250-person increase in the Williamsburg plant's staff.
Firestone Industrial Products FSIP is a leading global supplier of air suspensions for the electric vehicle industry. Air suspensions from Firestone not only improve ride comfort and handling, but they may also extend the range of electric vehicles and safeguard batteries from road damage and overheating. This new chapter in electric vehicle history arose from the decades-long history of designing and selling parts to the majority of North American commercial vehicle manufacturers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company provided products to keep these vital service providers on the road.
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"With the increase in vehicle electrification, Firestone air suspension systems are in high demand among the most innovative and forward-thinking original equipment manufacturers globally," said Emily Poladian, president, Firestone Industrial Products.
"Firestone air suspensions are optimally designed with electric vehicles in mind. Compared to traditional coil spring suspensions, our air suspensions are designed to help improve the handling and comfort of heavier electric vehicles and can even help improve EV range by lowering the vehicle to help improve aerodynamics. Advanced air suspensions are increasingly a 'must-have' technology on premium electric vehicles, and Firestone is committed to maintaining its leadership in this exciting and important market," She added.
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Parts for the commercial transportation vehicle market (truck, trailer and bus) and automotive vehicle markets are produced at the Williamsburg Plant which is the only full U.S. manufacturer of this product category. The company's other U.S. operation, which assembles air springs, is in Dyersburg, Tennessee.
FSIP designs, tests, and manufactures air suspensions in Williamsburg, Kentucky, as well as Brazil, China, Costa Rica, and Poland, where it has enlarged its facilities. The North America Advanced Technical Design Center in Fishers, Indiana, allows FSIP to stay agile and focus on speed to market, which is a fundamental necessity for start-up electric vehicle firms.
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"As we continue to work toward a brighter future for all Kentuckians, I want to thank Firestone Industrial Products for its commitment to Whitley County, the Eastern Kentucky region and the commonwealth as a whole," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said. "This company has been an important corporate partner in our state for decades, and this investment by Firestone in support of the emerging electric vehicle market ensures that will continue to be the case for years to come. Thank you to the company's leadership for furthering their commitment to Kentucky."
FSIP purchased the building and land located in Williamsburg in 1988. The Williamsburg Plant is currently 375,000 square feet. It is one of the largest employers in the area with more than 500 employees. Williamsburg Plant employees embody the company's global corporate social responsibility commitment, Our Way to Serve, with initiatives in community support, education and environmental conservation and preservation.
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