BFGoodrich Expanding Facility Despite Shutdown

BFGoodrich is going ahead with the expansion of its Tuscaloosa, Alabama facility despite a temporary shutdown the company attributes to numerous factors. A temporary raw material supply shortage in the wake of Hurricanes Ike and Gustav is named as the main culprit for the two week factory closure, however market factors are also to blame, reports BFGoodrich public relations director Lynn Mann.

The US$13 million expansion will transform the BFGoodrich tyre manufacturing plant into the primary supplier of steel belt material for five other BFGoodrich-Michelin plants in the US Southeast, say company officials. And local financial assistance is forthcoming – the executive board of the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority unanimously approved $508,950 in ad valorem and sales tax abatements for the expansion, which will create 12 new jobs upon completion in 2010. “Being tied to the Michelin factories by exporting and supplying them with our materials is a good thing for the future of the Tuscaloosa plant,” commented BFGoodrich’s David Kamp.

Operations at the facility were suspended on September 21, for two weeks. About 1,000 workers are affected by the shutdown.