GREENVILLE, S.C. (Oct. 28, 2008) — Michelin North America Inc. will cut passenger and light truck tire production at its three U.S. BFGoodrich plants beginning Nov. 1.
The curtailment will last up to eight weeks and will result in a temporary layoff of 40 percent of the tire maker's workforce, a company spokeswoman said. The plants impacted by the cutbacks are in Fort Wayne, Ind., and Tuscaloosa and Opelika, Ala.
“Sadly, this decision is due to market conditions as the economic downturn continues to affect the demand for tires 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 labor agreement with the United Steelworkers union.