Scottish government, business leaders work to save Michelin tire plant

DUNDEE, Scotland — A group of government, business and union officials have instigated joint efforts to avert the closure of Michelin's tire factory in Dundee.

Scotland's economy secretary Derek Mackay convened the first meeting of the Michelin Dundee action group Nov. 12 to explore options for retaining and repurposing the site. The group formed after Michelin announced that the 845-employee plant would close by mid-2020.

At the meeting in Dundee, participants were tasked with finding a "commercial way forward" for Michelin to retain a significant presence in the city, a Scottish government statement read.

The government planned to leave "no stone unturned" in its effort to find a "viable and sustainable future for the plant and its workforce," Mr. Mackay said in the statement issued after the meeting.

"We will continue to work closely with (factory manager) John Reid and his team at Michelin Dundee to put together a proposal for the future," added Mr. Mackay , who went on to note the need to address challenges such as low-cost imports coming into the market and the cost of production.

Among those attending the first meeting of the Michelin Action Group were:

• Derek Mackay, cabinet secretary for finance, economy and fair work;
• Steve Dunlop, chief executive, Scottish Enterprise;
• John Alexander, council leader, Dundee City Council;
• David Mundell, secretary of state for Scotland;
• Jamie Hepburn, minister for business, fair work and skills;
• Ivan McKee, minister for trade, investment and innovation;
• John Reid, site director, Michelin Dundee;
• Marc Jackson, Michelin Dundee site convenor, Unite;
• Keith Ridgway, executive chair of the Advanced Forming Research Center, University of Strathclyde; and
• Alison Henderson, chief executive of Dundee Chamber of Commerce