Bridgestone finally decides to close the Bethune plant

Japanese tire manufacturer Bridgestone has made the final decision to close its tire plant in Bethune in northern France.

In September this year, Bridgestone said it wanted to close the plant due to low demand for its tires. The French government tried to convince the company and find solutions to the problem in order to save jobs at the enterprise. It proposed a plan to rescue the plant and expressed its readiness to invest 100 million euros in it, but Bridgestone nevertheless rejected the project, citing overproduction in the region and the need to maintain a competitive advantage.

The plant should be closed in the second quarter of next year.

French Industry Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher said the government will seek "the best possible solution" to support the plant workers.

Due to the closure of Bridgestone's production in Bethune, the region will lose more than 800 jobs.

The Japanese company has also decided to close its tire plant in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.