Bridgestone Gone

[T1TS50#04]

BIG news bridgestone New Zealand and South Australia are closing doors.this means all stores are closing up or changing names.this is fact as the e-mail came thru to all store owners..........

[Dazza XLT]

Jobs go as Bridgestone closes

Posted 2 hours 38 minutes ago
Updated 1 hour 14 minutes ago

Originally Posted by ABC Online

About 600 Bridgestone employees have been told the company's tyre-making plant at Salisbury in Adelaide will be closing within six months.

The company says despite efforts to improve cost competitiveness, international competition has meant its local operations are no longer viable.

A plant in Christchurch in New Zealand which employs about 275 workers will also close at the end of this year.

The company says all employees will receive their full entitlements.

South Australia's secretary at the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, John Camillo, says Brigestone's announcement came without warning.

"It is a sudden shock, we knew they were doing it tough over the last few years but my concern now is there's no way we can save the company," he said.

"But [we need to] seriously sit down with the company, with the state and federal governments, to look at training these people."

Mr Camillo says it has been difficult for union members to swallow the company's decision.

"My main focus now is to see what we can do for these people, told now, who will go home and talk to their families about not having full-time employment and what they need to do to continue," he said.

"So while there is a redundancy package already negotiated, we just have to be mindful that these people find employment elsewhere."

Bridgestone says more than 1,500 other employees working in its distribution, customer service and retail networks will not be affected by the closures.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...23/2722565.htm

[FNQracing]

What a shame, where now am I going to buy my Bob Jane All Rounders? Seriously, this is a shame. There should be tarrifs on those nasty Chinese tyres being constructed out of melted down Chinese Safety Boots.

[Road_Warrior]

Does this affect the Bridgestone retail outlets as well??

Also, aren't Bridgestone the preferred tyre supplier to Holden?

[Fairlane]

Sad day for Australian manufacturing. End of Australian made tyres. Blame the Free Trade Agree with Thailand for this one.

[Road_Warrior]

http://www.bridgestone.com.au/media/articles/p1125.aspx

Bridgestone Australia Ltd. Announces Restructure

Bridgestone Australia Ltd. (BSAL) has today announced that a difficult decision has been made to close its tyre manufacturing facilities in Adelaide (South Australia) and Christchurch (New Zealand).

Despite continued efforts to improve cost competitiveness at both plants, international competitive forces have been making tyre manufacturing in Australia and New Zealand increasingly difficult to the point where the operations in both countries are no longer viable.

The decision has been explained to all employees and unions at both plants this afternoon.

The closures will take effect at the New Zealand manufacturing plant by the end of 2009 and at the Australian facility no later than 30th April 2010.

Regrettably, the closures will affect around 275 employees in Christchurch and 600 in Adelaide. Bridgestone's distribution, customer service and retail networks, which employ more than 1,500 people, will continue unaffected.

Bridgestone's first priority is its people. Affected employees will receive their full entitlements. In addition, the Company is working on a range of initiatives to assist employees.

"We would like to express our thanks to all our employees at our manufacturing facilities in both countries. Their contribution over so many years is to be admired and celebrated," said Andrew Moffatt, Senior Executive Director.

Bridgestone will offer support services to affected employees, in conjunction with the relevant government departments, unions and other agencies, to assist with future employment opportunities.

"It is our goal to help as many of our employees as possible gain alternative employment, either within the Bridgestone organisation or in the wider marketplace," Mr Moffatt said.

Bridgestone has also announced it will be working with local government authorities in Adelaide and Christchurch to gift some land currently owned by the Company to recognise the enormous contributions of the communities.

"We would also like to put on record our thanks to the various levels of government in both Australia and New Zealand," Mr Moffatt said.

"As the last tyre manufacturer in Australia and New Zealand, we have all worked hard over many years to avoid today's decision. However the unfortunate reality is that Bridgestone Australia Ltd. can no longer commercially justify the continued operation of these facilities."

The Adelaide facility has been operating since 1965 and Christchurch since 1947.

"We are proud of the fact that we have managed to keep these two manufacturing facilities open for so long and have provided employment and economic benefits to so many people over such a long period," Mr Moffatt said.

Despite today's announcement to cease new tyre manufacturing in the region, Australia and New Zealand are great places to do business. Bridgestone Australia's headquarters remain here in Adelaide, continuing its sales, distribution, retail and other business activities throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Retail arm is unaffected.

[graham7773]

where will they be made now? thailand? will prices then go down?

[Paxton]

The Adrenalins on my Falcon are the last Bridgestone tyres I will ever buy. Back to Yokohama I go.

[Thornie]

damn there goes my discount tyres

[BrisVegas]

shame to see Aussie jobs go. I just bought a set of Potenza Adrenalins because they were Aussie made too!

[Windsor220]

Looks like LingLongs it is then.

[Bucknaked]

These guys price themselves out of the market. Average Jo Blow is happy with Nankangs or other cheaper alternatives. If your not competitive, then your out of business.

[eb2fairmont]

Or the mighty double coins

[mik]

another nail in the coffin of Australian manufactureing, i feel bad for the people faceing xmas not knowing where there next quid will come from after the new year :(

[Mr Hardware]

I purposely buy bridgestones because they are australian made. this is sad.

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by Paxton

The Adrenalins on my Falcon are the last Bridgestone tyres I will ever buy. Back to Yokohama I go.

What dont you like about the Adrenalins? Ive looking at getting either the Adrenalins or Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's soon and without sampling them, i cant pick much between them. Coincidently ive got a mate that swears by Yokies, although the Goodyear dealer told me they were generally too soft, something my mate didnt see a problem with.

[Paxton]

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

What dont you like about the Adrenalins? Ive looking at getting either the Adrenalins or Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's soon and without sampling them, i cant pick much between them. Coincidently ive got a mate that swears by Yokies, although the Goodyear dealer told me they were generally too soft, something my mate didnt see a problem with.

I like them. They're a great tyre, but if I wanted to go Bridgestone again, they wouldn't be Made in Australia, thus defeating the purpose. I only looked at them in the first place because they were made locally.

[RG]

A fair few of the Bridgestone tyres weren't the Aussie made ones anyway. Last set I had were Japanese.

Sad to see so many out of work though.

[mickyyyy]

It's sad that another company has gone under and 600 people in a single area out of work.

Im all about supporting local small business and Australian manufacturers to keep work and money here. I think there should be a dedicated thread on Australian automotive businesses/manufactureres so when we want to buy something we all think twice and try and buy Australian first.

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by mickyyyy

It's sad that another company has gone under and 600 people in a single area out of work.

Im all about supporting local small business and Australian manufacturers to keep work and money here. I think there should be a dedicated thread on Australian automotive businesses/manufactureres so when we want to buy something we all think twice and try and buy Australian first.

Heres lies the truth beneath...there won't be many on the list of locally produced automotive parts, 99% Aftermarket parts are imported so good luck.
Having worked many years behind the counter and the wholesale side its been a given to offer choice and the imported competively priced wins 9/10times, hence the aussie has done this to themselves and then the same person cries loss of local manufacturers and jobs.
Its been a sharp demise for 20yrs.

[FPV8U]

We had better get used to this as the AUD gets stronger..

Not good to see, can't see the point of saying "I won't buy Bridgestone" when everything else is made overseas aswell.

[BOSHOG]

Originally Posted by mickyyyy

It's sad that another company has gone under and 600 people in a single area out of work.

Im all about supporting local small business and Australian manufacturers to keep work and money here. I think there should be a dedicated thread on Australian automotive businesses/manufactureres so when we want to buy something we all think twice and try and buy Australian first.

+1 for a recomended aussie suppliers thread

[J.C.]

I have to agree with you Maurie. We, as Australians, have priced ourselves out of the markets. The governments don't help the cause either with their foolish unjust decision making, constantly selling off and taxing Australian industries (they are starting on the coal industry now ..... which they already get royalties from)to line there pockets and super funds and cover the deficit (26-27 billion last I looked) that has been run up since the current government has come into power. We have been sold out people. We are like lambs .... being sent to the slaughter.
It is truely a disappointment for those who are going to be affected by this. I do feel for them as I know what it was like to live on the bones of your a$re.
How do we stop this from happening and hopefully reverse it ..... for our childrens sakes? After all, how do we expect them to have pride in their country when we, as a nation, own nothing ourselves?

[burnz]

firestone are the same company, but the tires are cheaper and NZ made.
why bridgestone would sell firestone cheaper per unit??
and yes to the other post bridgestone supply holden typicly (turanza or RE series)

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by graham7773

where will they be made now? thailand? will prices then go down?

Cost of supply will go down, retail cost will probably stay the same. They are doing this to reduce costs and increase profit margins, not to get a better deal for the average Joe buying retail.

[pottery beige]

Never good news, alot of AUSSIE and NZ job's down the gurgler.. And for all the boycott bridgestone outlets brigade, is that really so clever??.. Putting more aussie job's at risk??.. Highly likely that bloke fitting your tyres has a mortage and kid's to feed just like ourselves..

[Jason[98.EL]]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

Never good news, alot of AUSSIE and NZ job's down the gurgler.. And for all the boycott bridgestone outlets brigade, is that really so clever??.. Putting more aussie job's at risk??.. Highly likely that bloke fitting your tyres has a mortage and kid's to feed just like ourselves..

too true

all it will do is cause more job losses

Jason

[jonk]

10 years ago I did a 12 hours shift cleaning the plant/equipment because the permanents there wouldn't do it. The same day had done a previous 8 hours shift at another place for a job agency who begged me do this shift at Bridgestone. A bunch of execs from Japan were paying a visit.

The workers along with the unions blessing had run amok in this place... 2:00 AM and some of the workers turn off the line, and go outside for a puff of weed, even got offered some, said no of course.

The CEO had written a very stern/direct letter which was posted for all to see in the change rooms. He was complaining about how they had to import tyres because the locals would never make the numbers required. He really let loose. Examples of unions endorsed work practices that were crippling the company etc

Or how about the forklift driver I met that night who was on over $100,000 a year ! Sympathise all you like with the poor workers, but I spoke to four managers that shift who knew what was going on but they just shook their heads, nothing they could do.

[Whitey-AMG]

Aren't most of the HIGH PERFORMANCE bridgestone tyres manufactured in Japan and USA anyways ?

Which Bridgestone tyres are locally manufactured ?........are these locally manufactured units any better than the LinLongs and Nankangs anyways ?

[Bundy]

It'll also hurt BJ T-Marts as from what I know they were still getting the All Rounder made by them after changed from SPT, where they go to now would be anyones guess, hope its not a chinese or indo import