This year was one of substantial tire manufacturing investment within the NAFTA trade zone – and in the case of one tiremaker, a major plant closing.
In November, Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc. (SRNA) shuttered its consumer, TBR and motorcycle tire production facility in Buffalo, N.Y., a plant it had taken over from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in 2015.
At the same time, Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (SRI), SRNA’s parent company, announced the dissolution of its Sumitomo Rubber USA LLC (SRUSA) subsidiary.
In a statement issued on Nov. 7, SRI said that the “company and its U.S. subsidiaries have cooperated to improve the production structure and operational efficiencies.
“However, the business environment remains severe due to the deterioration of productivity and profitability at SRUSA and profitability is hard to improve in the long term.
“Based on the…
