BFGoodrich Shutting Down Longtime Tuscaloosa Plant, Cutting Over 1,000 Jobs

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Employees and local officials have confirmed that BFGoodrich is planning to shutter its longtime Tuscaloosa manufacturing operations for good.

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Multiple sources speaking to Tuscaloosa Patch on background say the move will impact close to 1,200 hourly jobs, with some saying that number could be higher.

One BFGoodrich employee who did not want to be named told Patch that plant workers were notified Thursday when company officials came around and told them to shut everything down.

Multiple officials also confirmed to Patch that the plant would officially close in 2028 after winding down on outstanding contracts.

The Tuscaloosa plant was originally constructed to produce materials during World War II and manufactured its first tire on Oct. 23, 1946. It is the seventh-largest employer in Tuscaloosa County, along with being the third-largest manufacturer behind Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in Vance and Warrior Met Coal in Brookwood.

As of 2021, the company said it employed 1,400 people at its 1.6 million-square-foot plant on 21st Street.

BFGoodrich has not issued a statement as of the publication of this story.

This is a developing story. Tuscaloosa Patch will have more information as it becomes available.