Bridgestone closing test centres in Germany

Bridgestone Europe has confirmed the planned closure of two sites in Germany operated by its Rome, Italy-based Bridgestone Technical Center Europe S.p.A. The facilities in Bad Vilbel, north of Frankfurt, and at the Nürburgring are expected to close this autumn.

According to Gert Meylemans, head of PR and corporate communications at Bridgestone Europe, the purpose of closing the centres is to “better organise testing and increase efficiency.” Bridgestone’s site at the Nürburgring is well-known for its test centre function, and the 14 workers at both facilities are responsible for developing and carrying out tests for car and motorcycle tyres, and they also work together with original equipment customers on projects related to vehicle development. The two sites are the only Bridgestone Technical Centre Europe subsidiaries outside of Rome.

The tyre maker says it will search for “possible alternatives” for the affected employees in “the coming months.”