Dunlop Motorsport to shut Birmingham plant

Tyre manufacturer will shift manufacturing to existing sites in France and Germany

Tyre manufacturer Dunlop Motorsport Europe has announced plans to move manufacturing from Birmingham to its existing plants in France and Germany in a move that threatens 241 jobs.

The company said it could not remain at its current site, where tyres have been manufactured for almost a century, after its lease ends on 1 September. The site is to be taken over by Jaguar Land Rover.

Sanjay Khanna, managing director of Dunlop Brand Europe, said: "Our strong preference was to remain on our existing site, but this has not proved possible.

“For several months, we have also worked closely with local agencies and authorities to identify local Birmingham site alternatives. Unfortunately no other appropriate site was available locally which would have provided continuity of supply to our key customers."

He added that the company has begun informing and consulting with affected employees and union representatives.

Labour MP Jack Dromey, in whose constituency the plant is located, criticised the American-based company for "disgraceful behaviour".

He said Dunlop had "agreed to examine all options of remaining in Birmingham at a Dunlop summit", which included looking at a relocation in the city, after a meeting arranged by Business Secretary Vince Cable was called to discuss the issue four days ago.

In its heyday almost 10,000 people were employed at the much larger Dunlop plant, however, the majority of that site was redeveloped for office and retail use several years ago.