Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Firestone expands building and role

The Prescott Firestone facility is expanding its building and is becoming an increasingly visible part of the surrounding communities. The new roles, according to Prescott Firestone manager Bill Smith, are part of an ongoing effort to enhance the operations of the local plant for its employees and the communities where those employees live.

Firestone announced this fall that the Prescott plant will be home to a new building that will serve as a distribution warehouse. Smith said the 160,000 square foot building means the company can eliminate a service they currently outsource. That means the Firestone company will have greater control and can better ensure customer satisfaction.

Smith said the local plan wont be dramatically increasing production due to the expansion, but it does provide some opportunities for the Prescott facility. Some product produced at Prescott can be stored for future distribution. Products that are made at Firestone plants in other areas can also be stored at the new warehouse for convenient distribution.

The distribution center is expected to be completed in late spring, and Smith said the operation is just one more way to make Prescott a little more visible in the corporate eye.

We want to be here for a long time, Smith said, Were building for the future. If youre viewed as a flagship, the company is always ready to trust you with new ideas.

Smith said the Prescott facility has been in operation for 36 years. Over that period, the processes have changed several times. Employees have produced a variety of products, from rubber hoses to the current roofing material. That ability to adapt means the corporation that oversees Prescott is more likely to hand new assignments to the local facility - a good place to be, Smith said.

There are some other changes taking place at Firestone, though Smith said the real change is an effort to make Firestone a more visible part of the community.

Over the 36 years of Firestones existence in Prescott, the employees have donated some $600,000 to worthy causes. Firestones trust fund has presented another half million to various charities, needs and organizations. Those donations, according to Smith, is Firestones acknowledgment that the company is the largest employer in the area. As such, it plays an important role in the community.

For example, Smith said the company has purchased a lighted display in the shape of a Christmas tree that is currently on the front of the Firestone building. Smith said the plan is to add to that display each year until its large enough to be an area attraction.

Someday, people will say, Lets drive by the Firestone facility and look at the Christmas lights, Smith said.

Smith said the investment in communities may seem like a change, but thats its a valuable investment for companies such as Firestone.

People in the plant should have pride in the place they work, Smith said. People in the community should have pride in being home to Firestone.