From Rubber & Plastics News
Akron, Ohio-Goodyear Chemical has trimmed 14 positions and plans to cut eight more at the unit's research and development center in Akron.
Some of those let go thus far and those laid off in the future could be called back, a Goodyear Chemical spokesman said. The remaining cuts will be made at various times during the next 10 months. Jobs eliminated cover various functions in the division's advanced polymer development group-ranging from research chemists to maintenance posts, the spokesman said.
The cuts are being made in the advanced polymer development group because “over the last three years our customers' emphasis has shifted to blended and compounding technology,†he said. Thus, Goodyear Chemical has moved in that direction.
The chemical unit's financially troubled parent, Goodyear, laid off more than 4,000 in 2003-including 1300 when it closed its Huntsville, Alabama, tyre plant-and plans to lob off another 1,200 posts in 2004.
