TUSCALOOSA, Ala.—Calling it a "production adjustment," Michelin North America Inc. said it will trim the work force at its BF Goodrich factory in Tuscaloosa.
A Michelin spokesman said "to help align production and inventory with current market demand for BF Goodrich passenger and light truck tires," the company "will begin implementing today an indefinite layoff of less than 10 percent of its work force at its Tuscaloosa, Ala., plant.
"Details concerning the implementation are being finalized. We continue to monitor the tire market and will react accordingly."
The former BF Goodrich Tire Co. opened the plant in 1945. At last count, it had 1,449 employees and a capacity of 89,400 metric tons per year, producing BF Goodrich passenger and light truck tires.
Within the last few months, Michelin signed a new labor agreement with the United Steelworkers that covered employees at the Tuscaloosa factory, among other facilities.