DTIC in talks with industry partners to prevent closure of Goodyear tyre factory in EC - Godlimpi

CAPE TOWN - The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) said it was doing its utmost to counter the closure of the Goodyear tyre factory in Kariega in the Eastern Cape.

Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi said that through the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), government was still trying to find a technical partner that can operate it.

Answering questions about the factory’s shutdown in the National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon, Godlimpi said all was not yet lost.

The Goodyear factory in Kariega first started production almost 80 years ago.

On Wednesday, Godlimpi said that notice of its closure was received too late for government to intervene despite two meetings to try and stave off the closure.

He said that Goodyear’s refusal to allow government to use its technology had been the main stumbling block.

"The DTIC is continuing discussions with industry partners, including the trade union NUMSA to find a potential technical partner so that the expression of interest on the Goodyear plan can be taken forward."

Godlimpisaid the department was also trying to entice other tyre manufacturers into other parts of the country.

More than 900 workers have lost their jobs as a result of the closure of Goodyear’s Eastern Cape operation.

Godlimpi said that government was also taking active steps to prevent anti-dumping duties on imported tyres from being circumvented.