Bridgestone to Build 2nd Tennessee Plant

Bridgestone Corp., the Japanese tire manufacturer that bought Firestone Tire & Rubber co. last yer, said it will spend $350 million to build a second plant in Tennessee to manufacturer radial tires for trucks and buses.

The company plans to start building the plant later this year near Morrison, about 75 miles southeast of Nashville.

“We are excited that we will be able to expand our production capabilities in the Unites States, the world’s largest tire market”, said Akira Yeiri, Bridgestone’s president.

Bridgestone expects to begin production at the plant in early 1991.

Bridgestone’s existing pant at La Vergne, Tenn., produces about 3,00 radial truck tires a day.

The new factory is expected to reach full capacity of 4,000 truck and bus tires a day in 1994. At that time, it will employ about 750 people, a Bridgestone spokeswoman said.

Bridgestone has pledged to become the world’s biggest tire maker. It now trails Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and Michelin of France.