Goodyear to close Australian tire plant

Goodyear Tire & Rubber is planning to close its Australian manufacturing facility as part of its strategy to reduce high-cost manufacturing capacity globally and provide cost-effective value-added products that the market is demanding.

AKRON, Ohio -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today announced plans to close its Australian manufacturing facility as part of its strategy to reduce high-cost manufacturing capacity globally and provide cost effective high-value-added products that the market is demanding.

This action will eliminate approximately 3 million units of high-cost capacity and provide Goodyear with annual cost savings of approximately $35 million.

"This completes our commitment to reduce high-cost capacity by about 25 million units and achieve annual cost savings of more than $150 million," said Goodyear Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert J. Keegan. "Going forward, our efforts will be focused on increasing production of high-value-added tires in low-cost operations to support growth in these segments in Asia-Pacific markets, including Australia and New Zealand."

South Pacific Tyres (SPT) will immediately initiate communications with its 600 associates and union representatives regarding the plan to close the plant in Somerton, Victoria by Dec. 31, 2008.

"Goodyear and South Pacific Tyres remain committed to their customers and a strong and ongoing product, retail and wholesale presence in Australia," said SPT Chief Executive Officer Judith Swales.

Total restructuring and accelerated depreciation charges for this action are estimated to be approximately $125 million after tax, of which approximately $85 million is for cash charges. Goodyear anticipates recording charges of approximately $75 million after tax in the second quarter of 2008.

Formed in 1987 as a joint venture, SPT has been wholly owned by Goodyear since 2006. The leading tire maker and marketer in Australia, it has more than 3,000 associates. Its results have been consolidated with those of Goodyear's Asia Pacific region since 2004.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. Goodyear employs about 70,000 people and manufactures its products in more than 60 facilities in 25 countries around the world.

[Source : Automotive Business Review]