Tyre brand Goodyear MY to close Shah Alam plant, 550 positions affected

Tyre manufacturer Goodyear will be closing its manufacturing plant in Shah Alam, Malaysia on 30 June this year with a full closure to be complete by year end. The move will impact 550 positions in its Malaysian operations, it said in an announcement by its APAC president, Nathaniel Madarang, that was seen by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE. 

"As you know, Goodyear Forward is a transformation program designed to optimise our footprint and portfolio, deliver significant margin expansion and create shareholder value," Madarang said. 

He added that this program includes specific actions to deliver annualised cost reductions of USS$1.0 billion by 2025, ensuring that Goodyear remains competitive and an industry leader.

Don't miss: Panasonic Manufacturing MY shuts most operations in the country

"As part of these efforts, Goodyear has made the difficult but necessary decision to close our manufacturing plant in Shah Alam, Malaysia, effective 30 June 2024," he said, adding that the closure was expected to be complete by the end of the year. 

He explained that there will be an associate impact and that about 550 positions in its Malaysia operations will be affected. 

"We are committed to treating our associates with respect and transparency during this process," he said, adding that these decisions were not made lightly but were needed to advance the long-term interests of both its business and customers. 

Goodyear entered the Malaysian market in 1929 and has become a household name since. It reportedly said that it will continue to serve the local market with tyres imported from its plants in other countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, China and Taiwan, according to The Rakyat Post.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out for more information. 

The news comes months after Goodyear Malaysia appointed SLPR Worldwide as its public relations and digital communications agency to spearhead its PR duties in Malaysia.

According to a release to the press at the time, the agency had been tasked to elevate Goodyear's reputation as the premium tyre brand in Malaysia, greater stability and safety on the road.

Related articles:
BORDERS Malaysia shutters operations in the nation
Tyre manufacturer, Goodyear Malaysia appoints new PR and digital comms agency
MyTukar calls out CARSOME for campaigns that go against 'ethical advertising'