Michelin ends tyre production in Nigeria

[admin]

Company seeks buyer for plant in Port Harcourt.

This is really sad news to me. One of the companies I am usually proud of for sticking it out in Naija seams to be calling it quits. Thats sad:(
19 January 2007 – Michelin, the global tyre manufacturer, intends to close its production plant in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
The company informed the Nigerian government on Tuesday (16 January) of its decision. According to Michelin’s statement, the two parties agreed to work together to find a buyer.
Michelin will extend the short-time working conditions, which were in place before the announcement, until the end of May 2007.
The sales operations and plantations in Nigeria will be maintained, added the company. Michelin maintains four plantations in Nigeria.
The plant in Port Harcourt produces motor car tyres and inner tubes. A BBC report said that 1,300 jobs could be lost with the closure.

High cost of production occasioned by lack of public power supply has been attributed as a major factor that forced the management of Michelin Nigeria Limited, to wind up production activities at its Port Harcourt factory.

[Yago]

That sucks.
I used to be proud of that company. At least I could boast that we made the tires all the cars we import use. Now I can't even say that anymore

[omowhy]

don't blame the company, you put the blame on our government who will i say don't there right from there left. As big as we are, we don't have regular power supply not to talk of water. The basic things that the industry needs to survive on is not provided. so, if michelin decide to leave Nigeria, no body can blame them because the environment is not good for business. The government have a very big task ahead of them, they have to make sure basic things like water, power, good road should be put in place.