Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC (BFNT) "is taking steps to reduce production levels at our United States-based passenger, light truck and bus tire facilities."
BFNT officials say the moves are "in response to weakened demand in the North American original equipment (market) and certain segments of the replacement passenger, light truck, and truck and bus tire markets."
In a statement released yesterday, Sept. 9, BFNT said the company is addressing production levels "in such a way to avoid lay-offs while adhering to responsible inventory management practices. The reduction will take different forms, such as reducing daily unit production, curbing or eliminating overtime, or extending shutdown dates.
"We project that production at our facilities will remain at these reduced levels through the end of the year. However, we will continually evaluate the marketplace, demand and our production, and will make further adjustments -- up or down -- as necessary. As always, we will continue to align our production levels with the demands of the market and with responsible inventory targets."
