DANVILLE, Va. — Goodyear said it will "preserve as many jobs as possible" as it transitions its plant in Danville from focusing on commercial truck tire production there to mixing and production of aviation products.
The tire maker said the move is part of its part of its "Goodyear Forward" global transformation plan, designed to make the Akron-based tire maker more profitable.
In a statement, Goodyear said it plans "to move the majority of that plant's commercial tire production to other facilities in its footprint."
The tire maker did not disclose where most of the commercial truck tire production will be moved.
"As part of (the refocusing of its strategy), Goodyear is discussing staffing impacts at its Danville facility with the United Steelworkers (USW)," Goodyear said in the statement. "The company's goal is to strengthen the Danville plant's competitiveness and preserve as many jobs as possible."
Goodyear employs around 2,000 at the Danville plant, which opened in 1966. It serves as the only Goodyear plant in North America to manufacture aviation tires, supplying those products to major airlines as well as the U.S. military.
The 56-acre plant sits on more than 2 million square-feet of space.
In 2022, Goodyear reached a four-year labor agreement with the USW that included wage increases and improved health care.
Goodyear's other TBR (medium truck/bus radial) plant is located in Topeka, Kan.
According to Tire Business research, the Danville plant is producing 10,000 units per day; the Topeka plant has a capacity of 7,000 units per day.