Bekaert Closes US Bead Wire Plant

The tyre manufacturing downturn in North America has claimed another victim. Bekaert has announced the closure of its Clarksdale, Mississippi bead wire plant. According to plant manager Gary Downey, the quantity tyre imports entering the US, and their affect on North American tyre production, has played a role in the decision to close the plant and eliminate 76 jobs. Production from Clarksdale will be integrated into Bekaert's Rome, Georgia, and Shelbyville, Kentucky facilities in the coming months.

“Given the continued reduction of domestic tyre production in North America, accelerated by the economic downturn, and the structural overcapacity in the market, Bekaert needs to realign its manufacturing platform in order to maintain its competitive position in North America,” the company said in a statement.

Bekaert acquired the Clarksdale site when it purchased Delta Wire Corporation for US$10 million in January 2006.