Michelin said it will begin winding down tire production at its Ardmore site, resulting in the loss of jobs for about 1,400 people.
The Ardmore plant has produced passenger tires since 1970.
Tire production will gradually shift to Michelin’s other passenger-tire plants in North America, but rubber-mixing operations will continue at the Ardmore factory.
"In line with Michelin’s values of respect, the company is committed to support employees, the community and partners throughout this transition," Michelin said in a news release issued Thursday. Specific details were to be discussed with employees starting that day and over the coming weeks.
North America’s passenger-vehicle market is "changing rapidly and profoundly," the company said.
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"Despite substantial investments over the past five years to improve technical capabilities and competitiveness, Michelin has concluded that the Ardmore factory is not equipped to deliver tires at competitive costs that will meet these evolving-market demands in the coming years. Continuing investments to modernize the Ardmore plant would negatively impact other U.S. sites in the network."
Precise timing has not been determined for specific phases of the wind-down, Michelin said.
"Based on the current outlook for market demand, however, operations at the Ardmore plant are expected to continue trending gradually lower until mid-2024, when the first wave of staffing reductions will occur. Additional reductions are expected to occur in phases through 2025 as transition plans are finalized."
“It is devastating to hear that the Michelin plant is leaving Ardmore," said U.S. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla.
"I just personally talked to the senior leadership at Michelin, and I received assurances that they will take care of the families and the community in the days ahead," Lankford said in a statement.
"Ardmore is a fast-growing community perfectly situated between Dallas and Oklahoma City. I know that they will bounce back quickly from this news, and they have a very bright future ahead," Lankford said.
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