Bridgestone confirms Béthune plant closure

Bridgestone has confirmed its intention to close the Béthune tyre plant in France. The country’s Secretary of State for Economy and Finance, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, shared news about the decision yesterday. She tweeted that Bridgestone has “closed the door to continuing its activity in Béthune” and confirmed the plant’s closure. She added that the French government would work with employees to find a solution for everyone.

France’s government had sought to find a way of keeping the factory open and had voiced its readiness to work with Bridgestone to find a solution. Last month, Pannier-Runacher stated that “if we can find a deal with Bridgestone, we would be willing to put in the money.” She called upon Bridgestone’s management to “consider all possible scenarios.”