Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire to cut 158 jobs

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.automotive-business-review.com/article_news.asp?guid=2B5C1E43-7F17-4663-955E-661584F4C5F3

2nd December 2008
By Staff Writer

Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, has announced that it will lay-off 148 hourly and at least 10 salaried team members at its LaVergne, Tennessee facility due to a decrease in demand for passenger and light truck tires, beginning December 21, 2008

The LaVergne plant employs approximately 1,700 members. Although the company has previously adjusted production levels to address slowing demand, due to the increasing impact of the global economic crisis that has resulted in a further weakening and decrease in demand in the North American tire market, the company will take this additional step to reduce manufacturing capacity in North America.

In addition, while no final decision has been made, because of the weak and decreasing demand in the North American passenger and light truck tire markets, the company has advised representatives of the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW) that it may be necessary to cease most or all passenger and light truck tire production at the LaVergne facility.

Prior to making any final decisions, the company has said it is ready to begin discussions with the USW on what, if any, actions could be taken to continue consumer tire production at that facility.

If, after these discussions, the decision is made to cease most or all passenger and light truck tire production at the plant, the elimination of consumer tire manufacturing could occur on or before June 30, 2009. This action could result in the elimination of approximately 500 hourly and salaried jobs.