9 May 2006
Charlotte, North Carolina - Continental Tire North America Inc. will indefinitely suspend tyre production at its Charlotte plant more than two months ahead of the North American restructuring schedule it had in place for several weeks.
Citing escalating costs for energy and raw materials along with declining business conditions in the North American passenger and light truck sector, the company said it will halt production at the factory July 7, resulting in the layoff of 481 hourly and salaried employees. Prior to that, it will lay off about 172 workers May 12 and another 50 salaried employees June 30.
Conti originally planned on stopping tyre production in Charlotte in Sept. 15.
"At this time, our Charlotte plant has the highest manufacturing costs of any Continental tyre plant worldwide," said President and CEO Alan Hippe. "At this point, we must take immediate and decisive action to reduce our manufacturing costs and return CTNA to profitability."
Tyre production at the Charlotte facility will be relocated to lower cost manufacturing sites, he said.
From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)
Subscribe for unlimited access. A subscription to European Rubber Journal includes:
Already a subscriber? Log in here
