GREENVILLE, S.C. (Feb. 11, 2009)—Michelin North America Inc. is cutting production at its BFGoodrich tire manufacturing plant in Opelika, Ala., to reduce inventory in response to the unprecedented deterioration in market conditions.
The company will lay off fewer than 80 manufacturing-related employees indefinitely, starting Feb. 14. More details will be released after the firm has finalized staffing needs.
The cuts represent about 5 to 6 percent of the firm's 1,400 employee work force. The 46-year-old, unionized plant makes passenger and light truck tires. Capacity is listed as 14,000 tires a day.
Michelin said it is taking other actions at other passenger car, light truck and commercial truck tire plants in North America and will continue to closely monitor market conditions and make other adjustments as necessary.