Michelin to Close Querétaro Plant at the End of the Year

Tire manufacturer Michelin has begun to reduce production at its Querétaro plant with a view to closing the complex at the end of the year and consolidating its operations at its manufacturing headquarters in León, Guanajuato.

As a result of this decision, the 480 workers at this factory will be laid off, so the French-owned company has committed to providing them with personalized support, including “financial compensation packages, benefits, job search guidance, and external training aimed at improving their employability.”

Michelin attributed the closure of the plant, which opened in 2002 and was the company's first in Mexico, to the obsolescence of its technology and the decline in demand for the type of tire manufactured at this site.

The manufacturing complex currently produces 0.5 million BFGoodrich tires per year and also has a workshop for retreading truck tires.

“Ending the history of our first plant in Mexico has been one of the most difficult decisions we have ever had to make. It was decided after evaluating all possible alternatives,” said Matthieu Aubron, executive director of Michelin Mexico and Central America, when announcing the closure.

Aubron emphasized that the measure will be handled “with the highest level of respect and care for our affected employees, whose contributions we deeply value.”