BFGoodrich plant capacity expansion announced

Production capacity at Michelin North America’s Fort Wayne BFGoodrich plant will expand through a US$50 million investment. The tyre maker has announced that expansion work at the Indiana-based facility will begin immediately and includes upgrading equipment at the 40 year old plant. Approximately 35 new jobs will be created through the project.

“We are deeply grateful to the state of Indiana, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance and the Allen County Department of Planning Services, as well as the County Council and County Commissioners, WorkOne Northeast and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, all of whom were influential in helping to secure this investment,” said Fort Wayne plant manager Dent Johnson. “This investment enables us to increase production capacity while continuing to deliver high-quality products to our customers. It will also upgrade the flexibility and capability of this facility to help improve its long-term competitiveness.”  

The Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance compiled an incentive package to help secure an investment worth more than $3 million, including a personal and real property tax abatement of $2.1 million, which was approved by the Allen County Council on January 20, 2011. The incentive offers were a cumulative effort that came from AllenCounty, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and WorkOne Northeast.

The 175,000 square metre facility, which opened in 1961, produces BFGoodrich brand passenger car and light tyres and currently employs 1,580 people.  “The continued investment in AllenCounty by Michelin for its BFGoodrich tyre plant has provided good paying jobs to many Northeast Indiana residents for 50 years,” said County Commissioner Nelson Peters. “We’re looking forward to BFGoodrich thriving in our community for another 50 years to come.”