This upgrade, scheduled for completion by 2027, is part of the Bridgestone investment Mid-Term Business Plan (2024-2026), which emphasises delivering value over volume while fortifying its off-the-road (OTR) tyre business. The Kitakyushu Plant, a global production base for Bridgestone’s OTR tyres, supplies customers worldwide. This investment aims to elevate safety, disaster prevention, eco-friendliness, quality, and productivity. Furthermore, it will enhance production technology for the next generation of Dan-Totsu products. 

Bridgestone MASTERCORE, the crown jewel of the Dan-Totsu lineup, boasts ultra-high durability thanks to unique in-house technologies, including specially manufactured steel cords. Since its debut in August 2020, MASTERCORE has been deployed in approximately 100 mines globally, earning recognition from numerous mining companies for its robust durability and customised performance. 

At the heart of the Bridgestone investment strategy is the fusion of strong physical and digital capabilities to maximise productivity and economic value in mining operations. The company’s physical prowess includes field engineering services at mining sites, supported by a global service network of approximately 130 locations. These services are now being amplified by digital advancements, such as AI-driven tyre and vehicle data analytics.

In July 2023, Bridgestone introduced a new mining solutions service that optimizes tyre maintenance timing and vehicle operation routes using AI-powered durability prediction models. This service debuted at the Spence copper mine in Chile, operated by BHP Group, and is part of Bridgestone’s broader initiative to enhance the value of its Dan-Totsu products by improving resource productivity.

By ensuring tyres are used longer, safer, and more efficiently, Bridgestone is reducing the number of tyres needed and contributing to a more sustainable future.

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