Bridgestone Automotive Parts Manufacturing Company to Open New Factory in Niagara County

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced Bridgestone APM Company, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the largest tire and rubber manufacturer in the world, will invest $13.6 million to construct a new 65,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Niagara County. The new facility will be built on an 11-acre site in the Town of Wheatfield. This investment is projected to create 89 new jobs within five years and receive up to $1.2 million in Excelsior tax credits from Empire State Development Corporation.

“This new facility will create jobs and bring private investment and economic opportunity throughout the region,” Governor Cuomo said. “I am proud to welcome Bridgestone APM to Niagara and I look forward to seeing the manufacturing sector continue to thrive in Western New York for years to come.”

The facility, located in Vantage International Point industrial park on Inducon Parkway, is projected to be an investment of $6.5 million for the Western New York developer, the Montante Group. BAPM will lease the building from the Montante Group and expects to invest an additional $7.1 million in machinery and equipment to create 89 new jobs within 5 years. Bridgestone APM Company will use the new plant to produce polyurethane foam used in car seats. Much of the product will be exported to Canada for its automotive market.

Howard Zemsky, ESD President and CEO said: “I can’t think of a better place than Niagara County for a world-renowned company, like Bridgestone, to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant. Western New York’s revival and proximity to Canada was a distinct advantage in beating other states that were vigorously competing for the new facility and the dozens of jobs it will bring.”

Operations at the new facility are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2017. Full production is projected to be online in the June to August timeframe of the same year.

Takao (Taka) Ishibashi, Executive Vice President of the Foam Products Division at Bridgestone APM said: “Empire State Development, the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency (NCIDA) and the Town of Wheatfield worked collaboratively with us during every stage of our site selection process. Bridgestone APM Company is on a very tight timeline to construct our facility and begin production. We appreciate all of the hard work from state and local economic development professionals to make this happen.”

Noriyuki (Duke) Kawai, president of BAPM said: “Bridgestone APM Company was very pleased with the level of professionalism exhibited by all parties throughout this process. Bridgestone APM Company is committed to being an outstanding corporate citizen and local supporter in all of the communities in which we have facilities,” Kawai continued. “We hope for that same continued level of commitment and support from the community. We think that Wheatfield has the talent and the resources we are looking for to continue the long-term growth of Bridgestone APM Company.”

Matthew Montante, Montante Group Chief Operating Officer said: “We are very excited to bring new jobs and investment to Niagara County. We look forward to working with all of the partners involved in this significant economic development project for our region.”

Other support for the project includes tax incentives from the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency that are estimated to save the company almost $3.2 million over the 15-year life of the abatement. A grant of up to $750,000 from the New York State Office of Community Renewal will be used to offset a portion of the cost of machinery and equipment to support the project.

NCIDA Chairman Henry M. Sloma said: “The NCIDA successfully competed with other counties and was able to be a part of an incentive package that attracted a company that will provide 89 people with good paying jobs. Our international location and aggressive attraction efforts will continue to bring companies to Niagara County."

Buffalo Niagara Enterprise President & CEO Thomas A. Kucharski said: “The attraction of Bridgestone to our community and siting of this facility was a very competitive process that required a great deal of collaboration and cooperation. I want to congratulate all of the partners involved and thank Bridgestone for their confidence in our community. Their investment reaffirms that the Buffalo Niagara region possesses the assets necessary to succeed in attracting world class manufacturing opportunities.”

Senator Robert Ortt said: "Bridgestone is a company that any state would be proud to have, which is why we are pleased they are building a multi-million dollar facility in Niagara County. The automotive industry has played an important role in our region’s past, so it's fitting that Bridgestone is creating a modern factory that will rely on our strong, local workforce. These are the quality jobs we need to strengthen our local economy."

Assemblyman John Ceretto said: “The Bridgestone project is a perfect fit for Niagara County. It is bringing a well-known global company here to create a state-of-the-art facility which will become a choice place to work for our residents. Now that construction has begun I look forward to seeing people working at these well-paying jobs.”

William L. Ross, Chairman, Niagara County Legislature said: “The Vantage International Point industrial park is proving to be an excellent draw for new businesses. I applaud collaborative work that was done to attract Bridgestone to Niagara County. We look forward to having the Bridgestone jobs and a facility that will make us proud for years to come. ”

About Bridgestone APM Company
Bridgestone APM Company is an anti-vibration products, energy absorption pads, interior cushions automotive parts manufacturer and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation located in Tokyo, Japan. Bridgestone APM Company has been in business since 1987.

About Bridgestone Corporation
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.