Bridgestone Announces Potential Layoffs Affecting 546 Workers Amid Market Changes
Bridgestone Hispania Manufacturing has revealed to employee representatives its plans to embark on a collective dismissal process at its facilities in Puente San Miguel, Cantabria, and Basauri, Euskadi, potentially impacting 546 workers in total. Specifically, 335 workers from Basauri, where the company employs a total of 831 operators, would be affected, alongside 211 workers from Puente San Miguel, which has a workforce of 418, as confirmed by union sources to Europa Press.
The company cited significant transformations in the European tire market as the primary reason for this tough decision. They highlighted that the agricultural radial tires (AGR) and truck and bus tires (TBR) sectors have faced substantial reductions due to a difficult macroeconomic landscape characterized by inflation, uncertainty, and regulatory shifts.
Moreover, Bridgestone noted the growing influence of non-European manufacturers who have progressively captured larger shares of the market, intensifying the competitive situation for established brands. The company emphasized that the current market complexities, coupled with these structural changes, necessitate an adjustment in production capacity to remain competitive amidst an increasingly challenging environment and to better align with the evolving market dynamics.
In light of the gravity of the situation, Bridgestone Hispania Manufacturing has pledged to engage in an open and transparent dialogue with its workforce. They are acutely aware of the uncertainty and repercussions that these potential layoffs could have on employees and their families.
The firm stated its commitment to managing this process as responsibly and respectfully as possible while working closely with worker representatives. They aim to uphold their values of integrity and social responsibility throughout this challenging period.
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