Michelin to Stop Dundee Production for a Week

Michelin is reportedly closing its Baldovie factory in Dundee for a week to counter a drop in demand, however the company stresses that workers will still be paid and the factory’s future remains secure. This shutdown will begin on October 13, and will be followed by further, shorter stoppages in November and December. The aim of these stoppages at the 23,000 unit per day plant is to reduce the number of stockpiled tyres the company is currently holding, and the first closure ties in with the school holidays. Staff training will occur during the subsequent stoppages.

“The global economy is beginning to have an impact on markets across Europe and North America, so we’re needing to make that adjustment in line with what’s happening,” said the Baldovie plant’s personnel manager Ian Peart. “It’s not something that happens every year, it has happened in the lifespan of the factory – markets come and markets change over time and therefore the plant has to change its output.

“There are no concerns about the impact of this on the factory going forward.” Peart added.