Bridgestone layoffs in Tennessee: Tire company to close La Vergne plant, ending 700 jobs

Posted by author January 23, 2025 Jobs

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Nashville-based Bridgestone Americas plans to shutter its La Vergne tire plant later this year, which will leave 700 people in Rutherford County without jobs. The U.S. arm of Japanese manufacturing giant Bridgestone Corporation explained the decision on Thursday as part of a plan to “optimize its business footprint” and strengthen competitiveness in the automotive parts industry.

Bridgestone has been “updated and optimizing” its business across the U.S., including in its Nashville headquarters, a statement from the company said. Forthcoming workforce reductions will impact the U.S. corporate, sales and operations teams. Bridgestone is also paring down its Des Moines tire plant’s capacity.

The La Vergne plant’s last day in operation will be July 31.

“Decisions like this are not easy because of the impact it has on our teammates and their families, and at the same time we are optimizing our business footprint for the future,” CEO Scott Damon said in a statement. “We are confident that this decision will strengthen our core business, enabling us to operate more efficiently.”

During a Nov. 11 earnings presentation, the company reported an increase in revenue, but a decrease in profit through the first three quarters of fiscal year 2024 compared to the year prior. That was the case globally and in the U.S. The third quarter, specifically, saw improved U.S. sales that the company credited to “maintaining and reinforcing a solid foundation of premium tire business.”

This is Tennessee’s third major layoff of the year thus far, following 65 cuts at Dollar General’s corporate headquarters in Goodlettsville two weeks ago and Perdue Farms announcing the closure of its Monterey facility this week.

Hadley Hitson covers business news for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to The Tennessean.