Politicians mobilize to help tire plants

May 26, 2004

Two tire manufacturing plants are getting assistance from high-level politicians in their respective states.

Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher has offered to meet with Continental AG officials regarding Continental Tire North America Inc.'s (CTNA) Mayfield, Ky., factory, according to wire reports.

Last month, CTNA announced plans to reduce production at the facility from 10,900 daily units to 7,300 in a move that also will eliminate 200 jobs.

CTNA CEO and President Martin de Louw says the Mayfield plant is the company's highest-cost manufacturing facility.

Over in Oklahoma, a bill that would help Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire LLC's Dayton Tire plant with substantial capital investment rebates is up for senators' vote, according to local newspaper The Oklahoman.

The 35-year-old Oklahoma City factory can manufacture 42,500 passenger and 8,000 light truck tires a day at full throttle, according to Modern Tire Dealer statistics.