Goodyear Dunlop cuts back farm tire output in England

BIRMINGHAM, England (May 12)—Goodyear Dunlop Tyres U.K. Ltd. is cutting back farm tire production at its Wolverhampton, England, plant by about 40 percent, a move that could affect the jobs of up to 122 workers of the unit´s work force of 1,200, the company said. Goodyear Dunlop said it would retain around 60 percent of its British farm tire production at Wolverhampton with the remainder being transferred to other company locations. Andrew Harper, the firm's production director, blamed the move on cost competitiveness issues at the plant. "We have been unable to make products at a competitive cost level in the (United Kingdom). This market is very competitive and is increasingly dominated by low-cost suppliers from eastern Europe," he said. Company managers have initiated negotiations with trade unions about the cutback measures, in line with U.K. employment laws, which require a 90-day consultation process.