AKRON (Aug. 9, 2002) — Goodyear will close its Stow, Ohio, mold manufacturing facility in October due to an overall reduction in the demand for molds and the high cost structure of the plant.
Layoffs will begin on or about Oct. 11 with the facility to close about two weeks later, said Lowell Dunckel, senior vice president of global product supply. The factory had been operating at about one third of capacity, Goodyear said.
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification letters to associates and union and community leaders are being distributed today.
Thirty-two salaried and 120 hourly employees work at the Stow facility. Hourly associates will have the option of retiring, entering into the Goodyear Akron complex or accepting a layoff, depending on seniority or job experience. Salaried associates who are eligible can retire, and the company will attempt to place others in different positions.
Goodyear said that no decisions have been made concerning the future disposition of the equipment or the building and property.