Emotional farewell: Goodyear factory in Fulda closes after 125 years

Emotional farewell: Goodyear factory in Fulda closes after 125 years

A bittersweet farewell occurred on October 4, 2025 at the Goodyear factory in Fulda. The workforce was invited to the Wiesenmühle to celebrate the last day of the traditional tire production facility together. After more than 125 years of manufacturing tires here, the factory is now being closed for economic reasons. Even the production manager, Klaus Dorst, couldn't hold back tears when he thanked the employees for their many years of commitment. The last tire rolled off the assembly line on September 30th, and the mood on the farewell day was one of sadness and melancholy. Many employees reminisced and emphasized how much they will miss the daily encounters with their colleagues. The laboratory manager, Jasmin Becker, described the day as strange and remembered the last hours in the factory.

Around 1,050 employees will have their jobs at the Fulda plant until the closure, of which around 500 will have to leave the company. The IGBCE union has already expressed concerns about this closure and its consequences. According to a report by daily news The decision not only affects the workforce directly, but also raises questions about the future use of the 170,000 square meter factory site. However, the city of Fulda has already secured influence on future development.

Closing with a heavy heart

The closure represents a deep turning point for many employees. Martin Mackwitz, for example, who worked at the plant for 37 years, is thinking about moving to a transfer company that will pay him 80 percent of his salary for one year. Others, like Norman Böhmer, who worked at Goodyear for three decades, plan to start their own business. For some, the prospect of new jobs is already in sight, while others are still looking. Severance payments were described as a dismal compensation for the loss.

The plant closure is part of a larger strategy by Goodyear to reduce production in Europe and shift more to Eastern Europe, where production costs are lower. Other works by the company and its competitors are also being criticized, as a report shows autohaus.de suggests. While the IGBCE and works councils fight against this development, the situation for those at risk is becoming increasingly precarious.

Future prospects and concerns

Goodyear had invested more than 30 million euros in the Fulda factory in the past, in 2019, but these investments could not prevent the closure. The pressure from overcapacity and high costs is leading to worrying developments in the automotive supply industry. As part of the “Kassel Declaration”, the union is calling for increased cooperation with the automotive industry in order to increase competitiveness and thus secure jobs in the long term. The uncertainty in the industry is increasing - a third of the twelve tire factories in Germany are under pressure, and the situation could be dangerous for a further 3,300 jobs.

It remains to be seen how the workforce at the Goodyear factory in Fulda will look to the future. Saying goodbye to an institution that has been an important part of life for many over the years will certainly not be perceived as easy on this unforgettable day. The time we spent together will be fondly remembered, but the view of the worries and challenges of the future will never completely disappear.