Firestone Debuts Radial OTR Tire Line in North America

Bridgestone expands Firestone brand with addition of “VersaBuilt” line

United States: Bridgestone Americas, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, has multiplied the line of its brand, Firestone, by adding radial loader, grader and earthmover tires. The new product line is termed as "VersaBuilt" and is expected to strengthen the existing OTR tire portfolio in North America region. The new product range is expected to roll at the Conexpo-Con/Ag 2017 trade show in Las Vegas.

“The launch marks the debut of a radial Firestone-branded OTR tires. The line complements the company's extensive range of bias-ply OTR tires and will be a more economically priced companion to the Bridgestone-brand offerings in these applications” said Mr Taylor Cole, President of Bridgestone Americas' commercial OTR business.

The company is expected to launch three applications currently - VersaBuilt All Traction G2/L2; All Purpose E3/L3; and Deep Tread E4/L4. However, Bridgestone did not clarify whether it will expand the Firestone radial OTR range furthermore. The new tire range is being manufactured at company’s farm/OTR plant in Bloomington, Illinois.

TechSci Research depicts that Firestone brand by Bridgestone is gaining wide popularity across the North America region. By introducing a new range of OTR tires, the company, has targeted a more specific set of consumers under the Off-Road tire segment in the entire region. Eventually, with the growing demand for the company’s tires from the OTR vehicle owners, the sale of Firestone range is expected to expand in the coming years, adding up to the overall North America OTR tire market.

According to a recent report published by TechSci Research, “Global OTR Tire Market By Vehicle Type, By Demand Category, By Region, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011 - 2021”, the global OTR tire market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8% during 2016-2021. On the basis of vehicle type, the market has been segmented into three categories - Mining, Construction & Industrial Equipment; Agriculture Vehicles; and Others. Among these categories, Mining, Construction & Industrial Equipment segment dominated the global OTR tire market during 2011-2015, and the segment in anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period as well on account of growing construction, industrial and infrastructure activities across the globe and more specifically in major developing countries. As of 2015, there were over 200 OTR tire manufacturing facilities across the globe, with more than 50% plants in Asia-Pacific region.