Michelin US to Close Ohio Plant

Citing high production costs as the underlying factor, Michelin North America, Inc. has announced plans to close the facility it operates in Mogadore, Ohio and transfer the plant’s tyre production to its BFGoodrich factory in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Mogadore facility employs approximately 70 people and is involved in the short run production of specialty tyres, such as rock crawling and competition tyres.

The transfer of production to the BFGoodrich plant will begin in July and be complete by late October, and which time the Mogadore plant will close. The BFGoodrich Tuscaloosa facility currently employs approximately 1,275 people and produces BFGoodrich Tire brand passenger car and light truck tyres.

Speaking on the closure, chief operating officer of Michelin Americas Small Tires Jean-Michel Guillon said “This difficult decision to close the Mogadore facility supports Michelin’s emphasis on reducing production costs while continuing to provide its customers with quality products. The consolidation to the Tuscaloosa plant will take advantage of the economies of scale for the long term.” Michelin has stated that all employees affected by the closure will be eligible for a severance package, including outplacement assistance.