Bridgestone Golf is dropping a small bombshell of an announcement right this moment.
The corporate says it’ll shut its Convington, Georgia golf ball plant and check facility on June thirtieth, ending 36 years of producing within the U.S.
Bridgestone’s premium Tour B collection balls, in addition to its surlyn-covered e-series balls are made in Convington. That manufacturing shall be transferred to Bridgestone amenities in Japan.
“We introduced right this moment a reorganization in our provide chain,” Bridgestone U.S. President Dan Murphy tells MyGolfSpy. “We’re going to consolidate our manufacturing base in Japan. It was a troublesome enterprise determination, however it’ll enable us to do what we wish to do, which is to be extra aggressive out there.”
The 24,00 sq. foot Convington plant employs 86 folks in manufacturing roles. The corporate stated in a press launch it’ll assist these staff by the transition and can work with native companions to assist them discover new jobs.
The query is why shut, and why now?
It’s vital to notice that this transfer on no account means Bridgestone is pulling out of the North American market. The corporate is, by all accounts, having fun with a robust begin to 2026.
“The Tour B is doing very well and we’ve had Tour success,” says Murphy. “We’re making our numbers and hitting our targets. The brand new Bridgestone Tire and Rubber CEO is into golf, and we see them coming into golf in a much bigger manner.
“That is simply a part of a restructuring that permits us to do extra.”
Murphy tells MyGolfSpy that the transfer is the results of a long-term, multi-year evaluation. The closing, whereas not associated to latest international occasions, relies on economics.
“It’s optimizing the place we will produce at the absolute best value for a world group,” says Murphy.
“Bridgestone Golf stays dedicated to offering the highest-performing merchandise for golfers in North America and past,” stated Bridgestone Sports activities president Shunsuke Kunihisa in a press launch. “The North American golf market is the biggest on the earth. We’re assured this strategic determination will strengthen our model and drive long-term progress.”
Bridgestone Advertising and marketing Director David Vogrin tells MyGolfSpy the transfer will liberate assets for enhanced funding in promoting, Tour spend, social media and golfer sampling packages.
“Sampling is without doubt one of the key methods to get shoppers to return over to our aspect,” he explains. “The extra individuals who attempt our balls, the higher.”
Shoppers will possible see extra ball becoming occasions within the coming months, which often embrace the golfer receiving a free sleeve of Bridgestone’s to attempt. You’ll additionally possible see new advertising initiatives and probably additions to the Bridgestone Tour employees.
36 years of U.S. manufacturing
Bridgestone’s historical past within the U.S. dates again to the late ’80s. The corporate began manufacturing golf balls in Convington in 1990. Its first golf balls have been offered beneath the Principle model identify. Principle achieved early market acceptance, with Nick Value profitable two of his three majors with the Principle EV Further Spin ball. Nick Faldo additionally received majors with a Principle ball.
Bridgestone was additionally among the many earliest firms to fabricate and promote a solid-core, urethane-covered golf ball, the Principle MC Tour Premium. Moreover, it offered the manufacturing experience for the Nike Tour Accuracy. That’s the ball utilized by Tiger Woods to win the “Tiger Slam.”
The primary golf ball to bear the Bridgestone identify was the Tour B330, launched in 2005. Bridgestone additionally launched ball-fitting to on a regular basis golfers in 2008.
This yr’s Tour B golf ball fashions with the brand new VeloSurge Core-Mantle integration know-how achieved early success on the PGA Tour with victories by Chris Gotterup.
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