PARIS/TOKYO (FRANCE/JAPAN) – The French government is pulling out all stops to save jobs and prevent a tyre plant from closure in northern France by Japanese Bridgestone which owns it.
The firm said on Wednesday that it would start discussions to close the factory in Bethune in the wake of low demand for low-profile tyres.
“Bridgestone took an appalling decision. The method is appalling and the consequences are appalling and we are going to fight” Minister of Economy Bruno Le Maire said.
Government officials have termed the Japanese company’s move as brutal and urged Bridgestone to seek alternatives to sustain the factory, which employs 863 people and has a capacity to produce about 17,000 tyres.
“We are going to fight for a production that will be more attractive and review other options,” Le Maire said, adding that the government would look at ways to “re-industrialise” the factory to protect employees.
According to Bridgestone spokesman Fusamaro Iijima, the firm would hold discussions with employees’ representatives.
“We would like to hold talks sincerely and carefully. We aim to do our utmost so that the impact on the local community will be minimised,” the spokesman said on Thursday.