The Bridgestone factory in Béthune -
F. Launay / 20 Minutes
In mid-September, the tire manufacturer Bridgestone suddenly announced the closure of its Béthune plant, in Pas-de-Calais.
Since then, an agreement seems to have been reached between management and the unions on the terms of dismissal of the 863 employees.
Agreement which must be formalized on February 11 with the signing of the PES.
For the future of the site, the Japanese tire giant assured, this Tuesday, to work on serious tracks which would however exclude the resumption of the factory.
From the first announcement of its desire to close the Béthune plant in September 2020, Bridgestone looked for buyers.
According to the manufacturer, “722 companies, including 140 in the tire sector”, were contacted.
Discussions with “several tire producers” revealed that a takeover of the plant by one of them “was unlikely”.
A "multi-activity" industrial park
We are therefore now moving towards the demolition of the factory and the requalification of the site as a “multi-activity” industrial park.
It would bring together "several projects, notably in the reconditioning of tires and in recycling".
The job potential announced is between 225 and 485 positions.
Without being specific about the location, the deadline or even the domain, Bridgestone explains that it is working on "the installation of a production unit in a strategic sector".
It would be established "on the territory" and "could concern 200 to 350 jobs".
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