Lay-offs Set at Amtel Plant in Russia

(Akron/Tire Review) All, apparently, is not that rosy with Amtel Holding, which recently unveiled its plans to integrate the Vredestein brand in Russia. A significant slowdown in sales in Russia has forced the company to begin laying off workers at its Krasnoyarsky, Russia, factory, and reducing output at the passenger and light truck tire plant by half.

Local officials, according to media there, are concerned about “massive lay-offs,” and issued a resolution “to recommend boosting the state control over the plant,” and asking to help the laid-off workers to find new employment.

The plant, which employs 2,800, halted its primary production in July as it had built up a reserve for two and a half months at its warehouses. The factory’s director general Ravil Davydov told Kommersant that sales had not improved, and Amtel decided to cut production there.