2023-08-12 01:20:05
The Bridgestone tire factory based in Basauri, Bizkaia, is already ninety years old. June marked the first nine decades since the first tires and tires left its facilities. Since then, the plant has acted as one of the economic engines of the Basque Country. The complex, originally created by Firestone and converted into a benchmark at the European level, was acquired by the Bridgestone Group in 1988, and is currently the second oldest center of the group worldwide after the facility that the company owns in Kurume, Japan. .
The current director of the factory, Jesús Ibáñez, highlighted the work carried out by the generations of employees who have passed through the facilities since its creation, and valued the incorporation into his career of cutting-edge technologies and innovative manufacturing processes that have allowed guarantee an “efficient, sustainable and responsible operation with its environment”.
«We are currently immersed in various projects in which we are investing in cutting-edge technology, which will improve our efficiency and productivity. This implies the implementation of machinery and automated systems that will significantly optimize production processes and ensure the corporate duty to provide tires of the highest quality, safety and performance”, highlighted the director of the center.
As he warned, the firm maintains its focus on the so-called ‘E8 Commitment’, a concept with which they refer to the fields of energy, ecology, efficiency, extension, economy, emotion, ergonomics and empowerment. Its development involves the application of sustainable tire technologies and solutions. To achieve this, they adopted initiatives such as the optimization of the roofs, in order to reduce CO2 emissions, or the manufacture of special chambers. “We make a great effort to reduce emissions not only in manufacturing, but also in the life cycle of the products,” claimed those responsible for the plant.
Innovation and development
In the company they also valued the differences experienced by the tires manufactured in it from its origins. In fact, currently investment in R+D+i, globally, reaches 600 million euros. “This has allowed us to produce tires at the forefront of the sector in terms of performance, safety, manageability, grip, durability, sustainability…”, they listed. They also claimed other applied innovations, such as the ‘Run flat’ or the ‘DriveGuard’ (which allow the tire to continue rolling after suffering a puncture), or the so-called ‘Enliten’ (focused on guaranteeing the lightness of the part and improving driving stability).
Exports currently account for 90% of the production that is made in Basauri. Along with their Polish factory located in Stargard, their truck and bus covers made by Bridgestone are distributed throughout Europe. Thus, for example, they supply manufacturers such as Iveco, Leyland, Mercedes, Man, Renault, Scania and Volvo, among other brands.
The plant celebrated its anniversary this year with an open day for former workers and their families. Former employees such as Benito Ipiñazar pointed out that the factory involved his entire professional life. “Firestone has been everything. We have lived from this, starting work at the age of 17 until we retire here,” recalled the man, who recalled how his acquaintances congratulated him when he got the job. «They told you: ‘you have no problems. If you go to work at Firestone, that’s it!’” he quoted.
With a daily production capacity of 5,000 truck and bus covers, an area of 105,000 square meters and 900 workers, the Basauri center remains one of the group’s most important facilities. In addition, the company has promoted initiatives such as the B-Kanpus Bilbao, the Greenpower Bridgestone circuit or the Startinnova programme, among others. “Having reached this point, completing the path of excellence that we began in 1933, motivates us to continue growing,” they stated.
The center produced 200 covers and 200 cameras at its inception
Upon its inauguration, the plant had an initial production capacity of 200 tires and 200 tubes per day, but it was soon expanded with products aimed at belts and brake linings. In the Civil War and the postwar period, the lack of raw materials forced them to develop wheelbarrows, spark plugs and enameled products. The company was created with an initial capital of 10,050,000 pesetas, contributed by the Firestone parent company, by Import Tires and the banks. from Bilbao, Vizcaya, Hispano Americano, Banesto and Urquijo, each of which allocated around 1,250,000 pesetas to it.
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