In order to strengthen its roots in India, Bridgestone has announced that it will be injecting Rs 350 crore in the near future. The expansion investment will be diverted primarily to increase the production capacity of its facility in Indore. The company aims to produce 20,000 tyres per day by 2020. Bridgestone India’s strategically located Indore facility is spread over 76 acres and it produces radial tyres for passenger car segment. The company says that it has witnessed increased demands for its range of tyres, which are produced for various carmakers as well as for the aftermarket line of business.

Here’s what Parag Satpute, who is the MD at Bridgestone India, said in an official release:

This expansion is our response to the trust and confidence of our OEM partners in our product offerings. Through this expansion, we also demonstrate our commitment to create value for a larger base of Indian consumers with our world class quality. India’s growth prospects in the mid to long term future are positive. And, Bridgestone India is ready to take the lead in being a trusted partner to our customers, dealers, consumers, and all other stakeholders at large.

Although Bridgestone India started its business in 1996, it only began manufacturing tyres locally by March 1998 in the aforementioned facility. In 2013, the company opened a second production facility in Chakan, which is in close proximity to Pune.

In an annual study conducted by J. D. Power, Bridgestone India claimed the top spot in Midsize car and UV segments. The said study is labelled as India Original Equipment Tyre Customer Satisfaction Index. In the midsize car and UV segments, the difference in points between Bridgestone and the second-placed competitor were 31 and 12, respectively. Tyres were rated by consumers on four factors – wear; ride; traction/handling; and appearance.