Fate of Bridgestone tire plant to be discussed in France

France is preparing for the next round of discussions on the fate of the closing Bridgestone tire plant in Bethune. A meeting of trade unions, local leadership and French Industry Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher is scheduled for October 19, during which it is expected to receive the first conclusions of the consulting firm Accenture, which the government has commissioned to study the situation.

In September, Japanese tire manufacturer Bridgestone announced plans to close its Bethune plant, which employs more than 860 people.

Although Bridgestone believes the plant closure is the only possible solution, the government has ordered the consulting firm Accenture to consider the situation and find alternatives. On Wednesday, Oct. 7, the Industry Minister announced that on Oct.19, she will bring local leadership and trade unions together to assess the situation in light of the first findings from Accenture.

“Our challenge is to save every job and maintain production at this plant,” said Aies Panier-Runaker, adding that there are other options to save the plant. In particular, we are talking about a project for the production of batteries for electric vehicles at the PSA production site in Dovren, which will be “20 minutes from the Bridgestone plant” and will require 1200 new employees.