05/04/2006

Goodyear to close UK plant

Tyre manufacturer Goodyear has announced plans to close its plant in Washington, Tyne and Wear, with the loss of 585 jobs.

The job losses are expected to affect management as well as workers and are part of plans to reduce costs by up to £570 million over the next few years.

Goodyear said that it was no longer able to manufacture tyres at a competitive cost level, due to competition from low-cost suppliers in the Far East and Eastern Europe.

Commenting on the job losses, Mark Wilson from the GMB union said: "This is devastating news for the workforce, their families and the economy of Tyne and Wear and Wolverhampton.

"GMB is in urgent talks with the company to understand the nature of the problem. We will be seeking all avenues to save the jobs including the possibility of selling the plant as a going concern."

(KMcA)

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