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Goodyear Dunlop closes Wolverhampton
Goodyear Dunlop Closes Wolverhampton – End of an Era
Well, here we go again—another big name in the UK tyre industry is shutting up shop. Goodyear Dunlop have closed their Wolverhampton plant, and sadly, around 330 workers are out of a job. My heart goes out to them and their families – it’s never easy when the place that’s put bread on the table for generations suddenly goes quiet.
This is just another sign of what’s been happening to British manufacturing for years. We’ve watched steelworks, coal mines, car plants, and now tyre factories either scale back or ship their production abroad. Like most big companies, Goodyear is moving what’s left of its rubber mixing and truck remoulding to other sites—and, let’s face it, a lot of that work will probably end up in China or somewhere else where labour is cheaper.
Fort Dunlop – The Beating Heart of Birmingham
Anyone in the tyre trade knows about Fort Dunlop. That huge factory just outside Birmingham was once the pride of British industry. It was a proper landmark, and if you were driving down the M6, you couldn’t miss it.
In its heyday, the place was buzzing – machines thundering away, the smell of rubber in the air, and thousands of workers coming and going on shift. It wasn’t just a factory; it was a community. Whole families worked there – dads, mums, sons, daughters – and Goodyear wasn’t just an employer, it was a badge of pride.
The Tide Turns
But things started to change in the latter half of the 20th century. Globalisation arrived, competition intensified, and the focus of tyre production shifted from local job creation to cost reduction. By the time we hit the 2000s, it was clear Fort Dunlop was struggling to keep up with modern production methods and global competition.
The factory’s closure was an economic blow and the end of an era. For Birmingham and the West Midlands, it felt like losing part of their identity.
A New Life for Fort Dunlop
Thankfully, the old site didn’t just get bulldozed and forgotten. Today, Fort Dunlop has been reborn as offices, shops, and even a hotel. It might not smell of rubber anymore, but at least the building still stands proud, a reminder of what once was and proof that the city can adapt and keep moving forward.
My Own Memories
I have a personal connection to Goodyear. Back in the seventies, they gave me my first management job – I was the manager at Tyreservices in Huddersfield. That was a massive break for me, and it set me on the path to eventually starting Pellon Tyre and Autocentre.
I made plenty of trips to Wolverhampton over the years for training courses and seminars, and I’ve got a lot to thank them for. Goodyear supported me when I started out on my own, giving me decent credit terms and all the point-of-sale and advertising materials I needed to get going.
So yes, seeing the words “Goodyear Dunlop closes Wolverhampton” in the headlines hits home for me. I know it’ll hit home for a lot of tyre dealers across the country too.
Looking Forward
It’s sad to see yet another piece of British industry disappear, but maybe things will turn around one day. Who knows – if we can offer the right conditions, perhaps we’ll see manufacturers coming back to the UK. Until then, we’ll keep flying the flag for quality tyres and good service here in Halifax and doing what we do best..
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Eric Roberts