Published: June 28, 2008 02:52 pm         

Firestone may close Noblesville air-spring plant

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — Firestone Industrial Products Co. may close its air-spring manufacturing facility at Noblesville because of competition from foreign markets and what the company calls “substantial losses” at its central Indiana plant.

The subsidiary of Indianapolis-based Bridgestone Firestone Diversified Products sent a notice of possible closure Friday to the United Steel Workers Union. The union represents about 250 of the 300 employees at the plant, said company spokeswoman Tina Gaines.

The company now has six months to negotiate with the union. If the decision is then made to close the plant, it would happen sometime in 2009, Firestone Industrial President Mike Cerio said in a news release.

Cero said Firestone’s main competitors are manufacturing in low-cost producing countries, and the Noblesville plant is hampered by aging equipment, relatively high wages and benefits and a mature domestic market.

“The step we announced today was taken only after serious consideration of our alternatives. The appropriate union officials, as well as government and community leaders, have been contacted to explain the situation at the plant. We have held and are continuing to hold meetings with our plant teammates as well,” Cerio said.

The Noblesville plant has been in operation since 1936.

The company also has U.S. manufacturing plants in Dyersburg, Tenn., and Williamsburg, Ky., along with an automotive sales support facility in Southfield, Mich., and a Bridgestone technical facility in Akron, Ohio, which would not be affected by Friday’s notice.