HIRATSUKA, Japan—Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC) is planning to close its Prague, Czech Republic, off-highway tire factory by June and move production of cross-ply OHT to other plants.
The plant, operated by YRC subsidiary Yokohama TWS Czech Republic a.s., is the oldest of three factories YRC operates in Czech Republic and is rated at 28,000 metric tons a year of bias and radial tires, including tires for farm, industrial and earthmover use.
YRC said the closing will affect 270 workers.
The plant was opened in 1934 by Mitas A.S. and acquired by YRC in 2023 through its $2.3 billion acquisition of Trelleborg Wheel Systems, which was renamed Yokohama TWS. Trelleborg acquired the plant in 2016.
The Prague plant's "production of cross-ply tires faces persistent inefficiencies and relies on an outdated platform," the company said in a press release.
YRC's other factories in Czech Republic are Zlin and Otrokovice, which opened in 1993 and 2013, respectively.
As it prepares to close the Prague plant, Yokohama TWS will have discussions with partner companies, vendors and other "relevant parties," and provide support for 270 workers affected by the closure, according to the release.
The closure is part of Yokohama TWS' strategy to boost efficiency, enhance service levels and ensure long-term competitiveness. The plan focuses on performance and sustainability, strengthening digitalization to enhance customer service and optimizing the company's manufacturing footprint "to drive operational excellence and sustain market leadership, while remaining committed to a 'local for local' strategy," according to the release.
YRC has more than 30 tire plants around the world. This is the company's second plant closing announcement since mid-November, when YRC announced it would close its off-the-road tire plant in Hadera, Israel by year-end 2024, citing higher costs and logistics.
That plant—called the Alliance Tire Co. Ltd., and a member of the Yokohama Off-Highway Tires (YOHT) group — produced 42,000 metric tons of farm, earthmover and industrial bias and radial tires per year and had a workforce of 474.