UNION CITY, TN (AP) – According to a news release from Goodyear, the company will shut down its Union City, Tenn. plant by the end of this year.
“While the announcement today is not a complete surprise, it is nevertheless difficult news for our employees and their families,” said Union City Plant Manager Terry Tennyson. “The Union City plant has many positive things going on within our facility, and despite today’s announcement, it’s important that we keep this momentum going and continue to perform well.” The plant employs about 1,900 people and makes tires for passenger vehicles. The plant will continue to operate at its current production and staffing levels for the next several months according to Goodyear.
There was no mention in the release about direct reasons for the closure or if the local jobs were being sent elsewhere. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s fourth-quarter sales jumped 14 percent for the fourth quarter, but the company lost $177 million as it disclosed plans to close a plant in Tennessee.

STATEMENT FROM UNION CITY GOODYEAR PLANT MANAGER
UNION CITY, Tenn., Feb. 10, 2011 — Earlier today, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced that it intends to close its tire manufacturing plant in Union City, Tenn., by the end of this year.