Michelin to close Japanese tyre plant

ERJ staff report (DS)

Ota, Japan -- Michelin has said it will cease manufacture of tyres at its factory in Ota, Japan, by July of this year. The company cited high production costs. The Ota plant makes passenger car tyres and light truck tyre and employs 380 people.

Michelin said management had since 2007 attempted to focus production on complex products such as the X Ice, but this was not enough to make the plant profitable.

Manufacture of tyres currently made at the Ota plant will be transferred to other Michelin plants producing passenger cars and light trucks tyres in Asia, Europe and North America.

Michelin said it expected the costs associated with the closure to be around Euro 410 million. This amount covers not only the Japan operation but also the plan to specialise production at plants in France, the plan to reorganize manufacturing and sales operations in North America and a voluntary separation plan for employees in France.

Michelin said it continues to develop its operations and expand its presence in Japan and the Asia Pacific region, notably through its research and development programs in Ota, its sales operations throughout the country and its activities at Nihon Michelin Tire Co Ltd. headquarters in Tokyo.

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Press release from Michelin