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Goodyear closes Wolverhampton tyre factory with 330 job losses | Goodyear closes Wolverhampton tyre factory with 330 job losses |
(34 minutes later) | |
Tyre company Goodyear has announced plans to close its only UK manufacturing plant. | |
All 330 workers at the Wolverhampton site are expected to lose their jobs. | |
The US company, which plans to transfer the site's operations elsewhere, said the move would "strengthen its competitiveness in the face of a challenging business environment". | |
Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East, Emma Reynolds, called on Goodyear to reconsider. | Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East, Emma Reynolds, called on Goodyear to reconsider. |
'Really bad news' | 'Really bad news' |
Goodyear said its plans were subject to consultation with staff and unions. | Goodyear said its plans were subject to consultation with staff and unions. |
It said it was "determined to find responsible and fair solutions for all affected employees". | It said it was "determined to find responsible and fair solutions for all affected employees". |
"The proposed actions are needed to help strengthen competitiveness in the face of a challenging business environment, increased competition and currency headwinds," the company said. | "The proposed actions are needed to help strengthen competitiveness in the face of a challenging business environment, increased competition and currency headwinds," the company said. |
The firm said it was improving efficiency by transferring the production of commercial retreaded tyres and compound mixing carried out at Wolverhampton to other plants in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. | The firm said it was improving efficiency by transferring the production of commercial retreaded tyres and compound mixing carried out at Wolverhampton to other plants in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. |
Increasing competition | Increasing competition |
Erich Fric, managing director of Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK, said: "We understand the impact the closure of Wolverhampton would have. | Erich Fric, managing director of Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK, said: "We understand the impact the closure of Wolverhampton would have. |
"We will honour our responsibilities and will do everything we can to support all employees who are affected. | "We will honour our responsibilities and will do everything we can to support all employees who are affected. |
"In the face of ever-increasing competition, we carefully considered several options. | "In the face of ever-increasing competition, we carefully considered several options. |
"However we believe these proposals are needed to strengthen our competitiveness and ensure we have a sustainable business." | "However we believe these proposals are needed to strengthen our competitiveness and ensure we have a sustainable business." |
The company has been based in the city for almost 90 years. The Wolverhampton site is Goodyear's only manufacturing operation in the UK, although they have a head office in Birmingham. | |
Worldwide, Goodyear employs about 75,000 people with factories in the US, South America, Europe and Asia. | |
Ms Reynolds said: "It's really bad news for all of the people who work at the Wolverhampton factory and their families but also for the city because there are generations of people in Wolverhampton who have worked at the Goodyear factory. | Ms Reynolds said: "It's really bad news for all of the people who work at the Wolverhampton factory and their families but also for the city because there are generations of people in Wolverhampton who have worked at the Goodyear factory. |
"I am calling on the company to reconsider their decision." | "I am calling on the company to reconsider their decision." |
Peter Bilson, deputy leader of Wolverhampton City Council, said: "This is extremely disappointing news and we are seeking an urgent meeting with the company. | |
"While we recognise Goodyear is a global business that has to make global decisions, we would urge the company, which has a deep-rooted history with the city, to reconsider this decision." |