The American multinational tyre manufacturer Goodyear has announced plans to close its manufacturing operations in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa, marking the end of a facility that has been in operation since 1947.
According to a report by BusinessTech South Africa, Goodyear will maintain its presence in the country through sales and distribution channels, including its Hi-Q Retail network, but will cease all local manufacturing activities.
The Nelson Mandela Bay plant currently employs around 900 people directly, with many more jobs supported across its value chain, including in logistics, security, catering, and maintenance. The closure is part of a broader restructuring strategy for Goodyear’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) operations, as the company adapts to shifting global market demands.
The restructuring process has been initiated in line with South Africa’s Labour Relations Act and will be overseen by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA).
In a statement, Goodyear expressed gratitude to its South African workforce and pledged to handle the transition responsibly.
“This proposal is in no way a reflection of the commendable efforts or the years of dedication of our South Africa team, for which we are grateful,” the company said.
“We recognise our responsibilities towards our employees and their families and are firmly committed to acting fairly and providing them with appropriate support.”
While Goodyear did not explicitly link the closure to political developments, the announcement comes amid rising tension between the United States and South Africa over the country’s controversial Expropriation Act, which permits land seizure without compensation in an effort to address historic inequalities from the apartheid era.
Goodyear South Africa operates under Goodyear Tyre & Rubber Holdings and forms part of the company’s emerging markets cluster.
