LONDON (Jan. 19, 2000) — Group Michelin will reduce employment at its 2,700-employee Stoke-on-Trent, England, tire and tire products plant this year by 473 as part of its European-wide strategy to improve productivity.
The job losses will come primarily in the passenger car tire and tire components production areas, Michelin said, and will coincide with an investment program of $18 million at the 73-year-old plant to upgrade old equipment and facilities. These improvements are expected to reduce manufacturing costs and contribute to improved productivity and competitiveness, Michelin said.
Besides being a passenger and light truck tire plant, the Stoke-on-Trent factory has capacity for truck tire retreading, steel cord components and technical and support services. Capacity is listed as 22,000 units per day.
The job cuts will take place throughout 2000. They are considered part of Michelin´s overall plan to reduce its workforce in Europe by about 10 percent, or 7,500 jobs.
Michelin Tyre P.L.C. said it would provide support to the dismissed employees through its own career counseling service and through a job shop, in association with a local training and enterprise council.