April 2, 2012
Increased Domestic Demand Leads to Expansion of Bridgestone Golf's U.S. Manufacturing Operations
Georgia-Based Manufacturer Expects to Increase Domestic Production of Acclaimed Golf Balls by 40% in 2012
COVINGTON, GA — Bridgestone Golf, the #1 Ball-Fitter in Golf, announced
today that it would undertake measures to satisfy an increased consumer demand for
its premium level golf balls in the United States, by increasing its golf ball production
at its Covington, Georgia facility by 40% in 2012. As part of the plan for
increased United States-based production, Bridgestone Golf will manufacture its
popular TOUR B330-RX family of Urethane-covered
golf balls in Georgia, beginning in June 2012. The production increase will necessitate
the hiring of 20 additional full-time workers at the facility, 40 miles east of Atlanta.
"We are proud to be bringing jobs and an infusion of capital to Georgia," said Shigeru
Nakayama, President of Bridgestone Golf, Inc. "In just 7 short years since we launched
the Bridgestone Golf brand, we have cemented our place as the #2 golf ball in the
industry in terms of dollar market share. That success is in large part due to the
very people working right here in this factory, that are focused on product quality
and meeting the needs of our growing customer base every day."
Bridgestone U.S. Golf Ball Manufacturing Reaches Remarkable Milestone
The increase in production at the Covington plant comes as Bridgestone celebrates
an important milestone in company history. Recently, Bridgestone Golf completed
manufacturing of the company's 50 millionth dozen of golf balls. Since 1990, when
Bridgestone began production of its golf balls in the United States under the Precept
brand name, the company has produced more than 600 million golf balls at its Covington
facility. If one were to line up 600 million golf balls side-by-side, the line of
balls would cover 15,782 miles, stretching from Covington, Georgia to Tokyo, Japan
and back.
Visit www.bridgestonegolf.com to learn more about Bridgestone Golf's 2012 plans
and to view the comprehensive lineup of new products that will be manufactured at
the Covington plant, beginning in June 2012.
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Editor's Note: High-Res images of all Tour Staff and all new Bridgestone equipment are available upon request.
Bridgestone Golf, Inc., based in Covington, GA, manufactures and markets premium
golf balls, clubs and accessories under the Bridgestone and Precept brand names.
Bridgestone is represented on a world stage by a number of internationally famed
golfers including
Fred Couples, Matt Kuchar,
Davis Love III, Brandt Snedeker,
Paula Creamer, Nick Price,
and Lee Trevino.
Bridgestone Golf, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd.,
whose headquarters are in Tokyo.
Bridgestone Golf, Inc. is proud to be the #1 Ball Fitter in Golf as the industry
leader in live launch monitor fittings. Bridgestone provides three ways for golfers
to find the ball that best fits their game: live fittings through the
Bridgestone Ball Fitting Challenge, live online
chats with ball fitting
experts through its B-FIT service, and an easily accessible
Online Ball Selection Guide. For more
information on ball fitting, including a complete schedule of Ball Fitting Challenge
events, visit www.bridgestonegolf.com.
