Michelin's plant in Ota, Japan to cut capacity, cease export focus

Paris - Michelin has said its tyre factory in Ota, Japan will no longer maker tyres for export. Instead, a 60-percent reduction in capacity will permit it to focus on high-value, high-tech tyres for the domestic market. The company will incur a one-off cost of around €65 million to complete the changes.

In a statement, Michelin said "Efforts will focus on Japanese demand for complex products like the X Ice tire, which was especially designed for the local market. The Ota plant will also provide support for Michelin's R&D center in Asia, thus strengthening the Group's research operations in Japan."

The statement continued, "As a result, the plant will terminate production for other export markets, which represent approximately 60 percent of its output, and adjust its production capacities accordingly."

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Press release from Michelin