It’s a bolt from the blue for employees. Michelin announced this Tuesday its intention to close its Cholet and Vannes factories no later than the beginning of 2026. A decision that became “inevitable“due to Asian competition in light truck and heavy truck tires, the sectors of the two factories, but also of the”deterioration of Europe's competitiveness“, indicated the group's management in a press release. These are the fifth and sixth Michelin factory closures in France in the space of 20 years.
In Vannes, the site has 299 employees who mainly produce metal cables for tires then manufactured in Spain or Italy in particular. This factory has experienced a continuous decline in its production volumes”due in particular to the change in the level of demand from the group's heavy-duty factories in Europe (…) with no prospect of recovery“, underlines Michelin.
“I am shocked and outraged”
The tire manufacturer brought together the 299 employees of the Vannes factory at 9 a.m. this Tuesday to inform them of its decision. He says he's committed “to support each of the employees concerned with tailor-made solutions” and to revitalize the area by creating as many jobs as it has eliminated, within a 50 km radius. Michelin also specifies looking for a buyer for the site within four months. If none is found, the site will close permanently, even the machines will not be taken back.
Employees gathered in front of the site this Tuesday morning. Stéphanie Schlosser, employee and representative of the CGT on the Vannes site, shares her “disgust“. “I am disgusted to see so much contempt for employees for so many years that we have been working for the company. For many, we have more than 20 years or even 30 years of seniorityexplains the CGT delegate. It's still really physical work. We are also worried about all the people with occupational illnesses who will have to find work tomorrow, the couples who are in this company and who will both lose their jobs. I'm shocked and outraged actually.”
“The employees have done a lot for Michelin, this is the reward”
Guenn le Luherne, elected CGT to the CSE of the Vannes site, is “fell from the clouds“on hearing the news:”24 years of loyal service for Michelin, endless plans to try to ensure that Michelin Vannes is always the best, the most competitive. In Vannes, the employees have done a lot for Michelin, this is the reward we give themwhispers the employee, on the verge of tears. We don't have the right to close factories like that because it doesn't bring in enough. It's very hard.“
France
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