Goodyear closes Wolverhampton tyre factory with 330 job losses
25 June 2015
From the section Birmingham & Black Country
All 330 workers at the site are expected to lose their jobs
Tyre company Goodyear has announced plans to close its only UK manufacturing plant.
All 330 workers at the Wolverhampton site are expected to lose their jobs.
The US company, which plans to transfer the site’s operations elsewhere, said the move would “strengthen its competitiveness in the face of a challenging business environment”.
Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East, Emma Reynolds, called on Goodyear to reconsider.
‘Really bad news’
Goodyear said its plans were subject to consultation with staff and unions.
It said it was “determined to find responsible and fair solutions for all affected employees”.
“The proposed actions are needed to help strengthen competitiveness in the face of a challenging business environment, increased competition and currency headwinds,” the company said.
The firm said it was improving efficiency by transferring the production of commercial retreaded tyres and compound mixing carried out at Wolverhampton to other plants in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Increasing competition
Erich Fric, managing director of Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK, said: “We understand the impact the closure of Wolverhampton would have.
“We will honour our responsibilities and will do everything we can to support all employees who are affected.
“In the face of ever-increasing competition, we carefully considered several options.
“However we believe these proposals are needed to strengthen our competitiveness and ensure we have a sustainable business.”
The company has been based in Wolverhampton for nearly 90 years
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Source:: BBC world news feed
