Bridgestone to upgrade Joliette tire plant

JOLIETTE, Que. (Dec. 20, 2001) — Bridgestone/Firestone Canada said it will spend $36 million to upgrade its tire factory in Joliette, Que., by July 2002.

Bridgestone said it plans to buy new equipment that will allow the 25-year-old, one-million-square-foot plant to extend the line of tires it produces for cars, light trucks, and sport utility vehicles.

The investment includes $2.5 million from Investissement Quebec, the provincial lending agency. “Through this project, Bridgestone/Firestone is not only preserving the 1000 existing jobs at its Joliette plant, but also stands firmly behind its commitment to the development of the regional economy as it has done for many years,” said Transport Minister and Joliette MNA Guy Chevrette.

Of the 11 Bridgestone/Firestone tire manufacturing plants in North America, the Joliette facility is the only one based in Canada. It produces 15,000 tires a year, 90% for export, largely as original equipment for General Motors, Honda, and Toyota vehicles. It is certified to ISO 9001 and QS 9000 quality standards.

The 868 production employees are members of the Syndicat des travailleurs et travailleuses de Bridgestone/Firestone de
Joliette. Their current labor contract runs through August 2005.