Bridgestone Comment on SPT Closure

Bridgestone Australia Ltd. Group. Comment RE: South Pacific Tyres Closure

Bridgestone Australia Ltd, Australia's leading tyre manufacturer, retailer and distributor, has acknowledged with regret the announcement of the closure of the South Pacific Tyres factory in Victoria.

The closure means that Bridgestone is now the only tyre manufacturer in Australia and New Zealand.

"We understand the increasing challenges to Australian manufacturing," said Mac Ohashi, Chairman and CEO. 

"However, Bridgestone remains committed to local tyre manufacturing and we are proud of providing quality Australian-made tyres to our customers."

Bridgestone Australia Ltd. is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the largest tyre manufacturer in the world, and employs more than 1500 at facilities around Australia including 600 at its major tyre manufacturing plant in Salisbury, South Australia.

Bridgestone Australia Ltd. is a major supplier to manufacturers such as Holden, HSV, Kenworth and Volvo Trucks, and is a major tyre and service provider to most major transport operators and retails tyres through its own franchise channels - Bridgestone Select and Bridgestone Tyre Centres - as well as other channels.