Continental Tire North America Inc. (CTNA) will reduce production at its Mayfield, Ky., plant from 10,900 tires a day to 7,300 tires a day, effective July 2004.
Nearly 200 jobs at the Mayfield factory will be eliminated as part of the cutback.
"Continental has a solid work force in Mayfield, so this was not an easy decision," says CTNA CEO and President Martin de Louw.
"We must remain cost-competitive in our industry and to this end, continually evaluate all of our production facilities."
The Mayfield plant is CTNA's highest-cost manufacturing facility, adds de Louw.
The factory, which was opened in 1961, produces passenger and light truck tires.
CTNA has three other manufacturing facilities in Bryan, Ohio; Charlotte, N.C.; and Mount Vernon, Ill.
