Akron-based Goodyear will spend half-a-billion dollars on a new plant in Mexico, expected to create 1,000 jobs. From Ohio Public Radio station WKSU Kabir Bhatia reports.
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The new plant in San Luis Potosi is slated to open in 2017, and will produce what the company calls "high-value-added" tires. Goodyear expects demand to increase by 10 million tires over the next four years. CEO Rich Kramer says they will break ground on the new factory in June, which will be the company's most state-of-the-art facility.
"It also will reflect Goodyear's commitment to the environment. It will be a zero-waste-to-landfill and a zero-solvent facility. And it will also use natural gas, energy efficient [LED] lighting and other state-of-the-art health and safety equipment."
Goodyear ruled out Northeast Ohio last year, citing labor costs and the lack of a deep-sea port.
The company employs about 67,000 people around the world, and first established operations in Mexico in 1940.