Tyre manufacturer, Goodyear has announced plans to close its South African manufacturing facility in Kariega as part of a broader transformation of its go-to-market strategy across the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.
In a statement, the company confirmed that it has launched a restructuring process in accordance with the Labour Relations Act, which includes proposals to shut down its manufacturing operations in South Africa and realign certain sales, administration and general management functions.
A Goodyear South Africa spokesperson said the company would continue to maintain its sales and distribution network, as well as its HiQ retail presence in the country despite the manufacturing closure.
“This proposal is in no way a reflection of the commendable efforts or the years of dedication of our South Africa team, for which we are grateful,” the spokesperson said.
According to the spokesperson, the restructuring process will be facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), with Goodyear pledging to engage with “transparency and fairness” throughout.
“As a company, we recognise our responsibilities towards our employees and their families and are firmly committed to acting fairly and providing them with appropriate support,” they added.
An employee, who wished to remain anonymous, told the UD Express that workers were instructed yesterday evening to report to the Despatch sportsfields this morning, where they were required to clock in using their employee cards.
“We were informed there are only two months of business left before the facility closes completely,” the employee said.
This is a developing story.
