SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Oct. 23, 2009)—Goodyear plans to close its retread materials plant in Spartanburg by year-end, a decision that will impact 90 workers.
The plant, which produces retread materials for commercial truck tires and aviation tires, is being shut down “to improve efficiency and optimize (Good¼year's) manufacturing footprint,” a spokeswoman for the Akron-based tire maker said. Operations at the plant will be absorbed into Goodyear's facilities in Social Circle, Ga., and Buffalo, N.Y.
The spokeswoman said some employees may be offered jobs at other Goodyear locations, but most will be laid off in the closure.
Goodyear purchased the 84,000-sq.-ft. plant in 1986 from Long Mile Rubber Co., which opened the plant in 1960.