Michelin to close Alabama plant, costing 1,200 jobs and €220 million

French tire giant Michelin has announced the closure of its BFGoodrich plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, by 2028. The facility employs around 1,200 people.

This significant operational shift will lead to a provision of approximately 220 million euros for non-recurring charges. Michelin will record this expense in its consolidated financial results for the year 2026. The company has not yet disclosed specific details about the future of the affected employees.

The closure comes amid broader discussions about Michelin's competitiveness. The company has previously pointed to factors like Chinese competition and production costs as reasons for reducing its footprint in France, where it announced 1,500 job cuts. Michelin's leadership has also commented on the pace of European policy, with CEO Florent Menegaux stating, "Europe is moving too slowly."

Michelin has been diversifying its business beyond traditional tires, investing in high-tech fabrics and thermal protection systems. The company has also been expanding its presence in China, citing it as a rare example of French industrial success in the country. Meanwhile, Michelin's Symbio fuel cell startup faces significant downsizing after losing support from Stellantis.