Goodyear raising US capacity for larger tires

Fayetteville, North Carolina –  Goodyear is planning to expand capacity for larger rim-diameter passenger tires at its 50-year-old Fayetteville plant.

The project follows the approval of a 10-year jobs incentive package by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, worth $30 million (€26.6 million).

These funds will be used to "modernise and improve operations and efficiency" at the Fayetteville, Goodyear said.

The project, it added, will include expanding capabilities to produce high-value tires with rim diameters 17 inches and greater.

"We appreciate the support of state and local officials in joining with us in strategic investments," the company said.

The Fayetteville plant is rated at 40,000 units a day with 2,900 employees, according to Tire Business Global Tire Report.

The support grant is designed to help protect 2,000 jobs at the plant, North Carolina Commerce said.

This funding adds to $125 million Goodyear budgeted in 2016 to up capacity for 17” and larger tires by 2 million units annually at plants in Lawton, Oklahoma and Fayetteville.