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Sad farewell: Gummiwerke Fulda is closing after over 100 years!
The Fulda rubber works, founded in 1900, will close in 2025. Protests accompany this decision by Goodyear, affecting over 1,050 jobs.
Sad farewell: Gummiwerke Fulda is closing after over 100 years!
An important chapter is coming to an end in Fulda: the rubber works will close their doors by the end of September 2025 at the latest. The traditional factory was founded over a century ago, in 1900, and quickly developed into an integral part of the region. The location became even more important, especially in the 1960s, when the US tire manufacturer Goodyear got involved. The “Fulda Reifen” brand became not only a regional but also a national player in tire production, as the Fuldaer Zeitung reports.
How did this dramatic turnaround come about? Back in the 1980s, Gummiwerke Fulda achieved its highest sales volume in history. But times are changing: Goodyear announced its closure, causing great consternation. Over 1,000 employees now have to fear for their jobs, a decision that is also accompanied by loud protests from the unions and the city society. The closure is not only a tragedy for the workers, but also has economic consequences for the entire region.
Jobs and the economy at risk
Goodyear originally planned to lay off only half of its workforce, but reality shows a different picture. According to hessenschau.de, 1,050 employees are now affected, as are 700 additional employees at the Fürstenwalde plant, which will be gradually closed by 2027. The reason for the closures is overcapacity and the adjustment of the production structure to falling demand. Another blow for the German tire industry, as over 1,800 jobs will be lost in these two plants alone.
As Goodyear tries to improve its cost structure, unions like the IGBCE are outraged by the unjustified measures. The discontent continues to be fueled by the fact that a new social plan only resulted in failed talks. Strike action is on the table, and trade unionist Weinschenk doubts the credibility of the reasons given by Goodyear.
The future of tire production
The industrial action could have an impact on all tire factories in Germany, reports Autohaus. Around 3,300 jobs are at risk, and a third of the 12 tire factories still in Germany are threatened. The IG BCE is not only demanding competitive energy prices from the federal government, but also measures against the import of Asian tires at dumping prices.
Hopes now rest on maintaining the “Fulda Reifen” brand, which, according to Goodyear, will continue to be produced at other locations. But that gives the employees and the region little security. What happens next? The signs point to economic uncertainty, and the next few weeks will show how badly the Fulda region will be affected by this closure.
In these difficult times, there is nothing left but to encourage employees and hold political decision-makers accountable so that similar situations can be avoided in the future. A rethink in the industry is required – and that remains exciting!