The reductions also mean that Bridgestone Americas will close its mold-cure Oncor retread plant in St. Louis, ending an experiment in mold cure retreading the former Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. undertook in the mid-1990s.
Some 60 Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions employees will be laid off, according to the company, primarily in response to current market weakness.
Nine positions at BBTS headquarters in Muscatine, Iowa, are being eliminated, as are seven positions in Nashville, and 23 field sales positions.
The Oncor facility will be closed as of Jan. 31, 2009, and the 21 jobs there will be eliminated. (Tire Review/Akron)