‘Part of Melksham DNA for more than century’ – local leaders react to Cooper Tire factory closure

Wiltshire politicians and Unite union representatives have reacted to the news that Cooper Tire plans to end tyre production at its Melksham plant by the end of 2023. Speaking to local news source, the Wiltshire Gazette & Herald, Michelle Donelan, MP for Chippenham, offered her support to workers, while Melksham’s mayor emphasised the longevity and importance of the manufacturing site in the town’s history. With the plant’s 350-strong workforce represented by Unite, union leader Tony Hulbert railed against the timing of the announcement, given the UK’s spiralling cost-of-living crisis.

Donelan plans to “stay in close contact” with Cooper during the consultation process in which the company will “prioritise” staff welfare. She revealed that Cooper’s leadership team had “made it clear that the site and jobs will remain until December 2023,” while the company also plans to offer “a package…to support staff as well as redundancy.” She also said Cooper will organise opportunities with local employers closer to the planned conclusion of operations at the plant. In addition, Donelan offered her support to staff, saying they should contact her at michelle.donelan.mp@parliament.uk for assistance, while offering her sympathies for those in line to lose their jobs.

The Wiltshire Gazette & Herald also reported Mayor Simon Crundell’s comments about the factory’s history: “Founded in 1885, the factory has been at the heart of Melksham’s economic and cultural life for many generations, putting Melksham on the map.” Wiltshire Council leader Richard Clewer, meanwhile, admitted that the closure was not surprising given the “uncertainty” that has surrounded its future for years. Seeking to accent the positive, he said “there are a lot of employers around Melksham and they are looking for skilled workers,” while also saying it is “very sad” for Melksham to lose a plant that “has been part of the DNA” of the town “for over a century.”

Tony Hulbert from Unite was most critical of Cooper, reasoning: “The timing isn’t great with mortgage rates going up and now potential job losses.

“They could have waited until the new year so we could get a picture of how 2023 was looking.”

Cooper representatives pointed towards the challenging business environment and the factory’s struggle to remain competitive over the long term in its explanation for the decision to shutter the plant. Goodyear, which acquired its US compatriot firm Cooper in 2019, has started to announce steps to restructure tyre production at other plants in its manufacturing footprint, with the intention of increasing competitiveness.