The total takeover of the Bridgestone plant in Béthune, which is slated for closure, appears "unlikely", but several companies have expressed interest in the creation of a "multi-activity industrial park", representing "a potential of 335 to 485 jobs, ”management announced on Tuesday.
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“Since September 2020, with the support of the BPI firm, Bridgestone has contacted 722 companies, including 140 in the tire sector.
This mobilization has made it possible to identify 25 opportunities to date, including several well-advanced projects that are the subject of active discussions, ”indicates in a press release the European management of the Japanese tire giant.
“If, after in-depth discussions with several tire producers, it appears that the takeover of the Béthune site by one of them is unlikely, the most advanced avenue is that of installation on the site of a multi-activity industrial park, ”she continues.
"This solution, which would combine the installation of several projects in particular in the reconditioning of tires and in recycling, could represent a potential of 335 to 485 jobs", specify the managers, while the signing of the PSE concerning this plant of 863 people could intervene Thursday.
Regarding the reindustrialization of the territory, "several projects are in the study phase, the most important of which, the installation of a production unit in a strategic sector, could concern 200 to 350 jobs", adds Bridgestone, without further details.
“Even if nothing has yet been established, several avenues have potential and could offer concrete solutions to Béthune employees”, summarizes in this press release Daniel Giroud, Commercial Director and member of the executive committee of Bridgestone EMIA (Europe, Middle East, India and Africa).
A videoconference meeting is scheduled for Monday afternoon between the management, the Minister of Industry Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the president of Hauts-de-France Xavier Bertrand and the president of the urban community of Béthune, Olivier Gacquerre, to evoke these different projects.
Bridgestone announced in mid-September the closure in 2021 of the Béthune site.
