Michelin Cutting 20 Jobs at Upgrade Plant

(Akron/Tire Review) A mere ten days after the announcement that Michelin North America planned to spend $4.2 million upgrading its Pictou County, Nova Scotia plant, the company is eliminating 20 positions from this Canadian facility. Sheri Somerville, spokeswoman for the tyremaker, said the jobs in the company’s group services section are disappearing as part of an effort to improve plant efficiency.

“The positions are gone but we are working to find new positions for the workers,” she said. “Some of the people are eligible for retirement. We are trying to figure out what will work best for each individual.” Group services are provided to all the plants, not just those in which they are located.

In early November Michelin North America president Jim Micali said the company would spend $4.2 million at the plant in Granton, Pictou County, to finance the upgrading of equipment and help improve overall production. He said at the time that efficiency was important to keep the company competitive, especially with high-energy prices and fluctuations in currency.