End of an era for Dundee as Michelin factory closes gates

After almost half a century of tyre production, Dundee’s Michelin factory officially closed its gates for the final time yesterday.

Staff arrive at the Michelin tyre factory in Dundee

The French manufacturer first announced in November 2018 the plant would close by mid-2020, with the loss of all 850 jobs.

The site will become an innovation centre offering loans and advice to businesses that are looking to expand.

The plant has been a presence in the city since 1971.

Michelin said since the closure was announced, 731 of its employees had found new jobs, entered education or retired.

The Covid-19 lockdown has meant the last tyre came off the production line in March, more than three months ahead of schedule.

Factory manager John Reid, who has worked on the site for almost 28 years, told BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland programme yesterday: “Having started the process prior to the announcement with nearly 920 people, we got down to 120.

“Clearly Covid has had an impact on that. We estimate it’s probably cost us 70 jobs.

“Had it not been for Covid, a few months ago we were looking at an outcome where we might have had 50 people still to find jobs.”

The plant’s job seeking facilities will continue for a full year from today.