Michelin reducing US production at 3 BFG plants

ERJ staff report (TB)

Greenville, South Carolina -- Michelin North America Inc. will reduce passenger and light truck tyre production for up to eight weeks at its three US BFGoodrich plants beginning Nov. 1.

The curtailment, which will last up to eight weeks, will result in a temporary layoff of 40 percent of the tyre maker's workforce, a company spokeswoman said. The plants affected by the cutbacks are in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Tuscaloosa and Opelika, in Alabama.

“Sadly, this decision is due to market conditions as the economic downturn continues to affect the demand for tyres in both the replacement and original equipment markets,” the spokeswoman said.

Eligible employees will receive state unemployment benefits, as well as a supplement from Michelin under the terms of the company's labour agreement with the United Steelworkers union.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)