Firestone Airide recently opened new distribution centers at its manufacturing facilities in Williamsburg, Ky., and Dyersburg, Tenn., the company announced Thursday. The total investment in the new centers is around $26 million.
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The company says the centers will increase operational efficiency and reduce the company's carbon footprint by reducing the transportation of goods from the plants to a third-party distribution center in Indianapolis.
"With their strategic locations and increased capability, the new distribution centers will enable us to shorten time-to-market to meet customer demands while further optimizing our operations," says Justin Monaghan, president of Firestone Airide. "We have a vital role to play in the transportation of mobility created by advanced electric vehicles and supporting technologies, such as our Firestone air springs."
The 150, 000-square-foot Williamsburg, Ky., center builds on a plant expansion to meet the growing demand for air springs in the electric vehicle sector. The Williamsburg plan produces air springs for automotive, heavy-duty trucks and trailers, and seat and cab air spring applications.
The Dyersburg, Tenn., plant makes stamped metal components for air springs and finishes and crimps air springs for the automotive market, heavy-duty and off-highway applications. The distribution center at that plant is 80,000 square feet.
Firestone says the investments at these two locations align with the efficiency values of the Bridgestone E8 commitment, which consists of eight values starting with the letter E to realize a more sustainable society: Energy, ecology, efficiency, extension, economy, emotion, ease and empowerment.
