"What we're doing is exploring restructuring options on a global basis," a Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. spokesman told moderntiredealer.com in response to an article that appeared in today's Wall Street Journal that claimed Goodyear may restructure its North American operations.
"It's part of our planning process that we look at all of the options related to our business. Those options could include closing plants, moving work. It (also) could include adding plants.
"But we haven't made any decisions to do any of these things. We're working on scenarios and doing some forward planning."
Regarding possible plant closings, "we have a contract with the United Steelworkers of America that protects certain plants through July 2006," says the spokesman, who adds that Goodyear is investing in its North American factories.
"Our contract (with the union) is focused on increasing production in North America."
