Yokohama to Close Salem Plant on March 18

Yokohama Tire Corp. will close its consumer tire manufacturing plant in Salem, Va., on March 18, months ahead of schedule.

Yokohama had announced that the plant would reduce production this month and that production could cease in July 2026.

The facility had the capacity to build 25,700 passenger tires and 1,100 light truck tires per day, according to MTD's 2026 Facts Issue.

"After negotiations with the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union and its Local Union No. 1023 (USW), the two sides have agreed to expedite the closure of the facility," say Yokohama officials.

The Salem plant opened in the 1960s and has manufactured tires for Yokohama since the company's acquisition of Mohawk Rubber Co. in 1989.

"The decision to close is in response to the expiration of certain product lifecycles and reduced demand for other products manufactured at the Salem facility."

Appoximately 570 employees will be impacted by the closing. Yokohama is not expecting any supply disruptions as a result of this decision.