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PRIVACY
Economic Development

Farewell to 125 years of manufacturing at Dunlop Motorsport tyre plant

End of an era as staff leave north Birmingham factory for last time ahead as operations moved to Europe

Dunlop Motorsport

More than 240 Birmingham tyre workers have walked out of their factory for the final time - bringing 125 years of manufacturing history in the city to an end.

The conclusion of production at Dunlop Motorsport, in Erdington, follows an ultimately doomed fight by MPs, unions and other campaigners to keep tyre making in Birmingham.

Erdington MP Jack Dromey, who has spearheaded the public campaign to save the factory, said: "This is a day of shame for Goodyear Dunlop. They could have moved three miles to Aston.

"But a decision was made 3,500 miles away in Ohio to end 125 years of manufacturing in Birmingham.

"Their message to a highly skilled and long-serving workforce is 'Thanks for your past loyalty, here’s your redundancy notice'."

In a message to the workforce, Mr Dromey added: "You can be proud of who you are, decent men and women, Birmingham's best. I share your sense of betrayal.

"Three generations of one family alone in Erdington had served 102 years in the factory.

"You deserved better. Now the task is to ensure not one Dunlop worker ends up on the dole.