Bridgestone Golf announced that it will be shutting down its ball manufacturing and testing facility in Covington, GA, effective June 30. The closure will affect 86 jobs.
According to Bridgestone Golf, the decision was made as “part of the company’s efforts to optimize its global supply chain and strengthen the foundation of its global golf business.”
“Bridgestone Golf regularly evaluates all aspects of its business to consider market realities and ensure it remains sustainable and competitive,” the company said in a release announcing the upcoming closure. “This decision comes after a thorough assessment of the increasing volatility in global markets and evolving challenges related to supply chain, operational efficiency, and cost management.”
Bridgestone Golf said it will be working with local partners to assist those affected by the plant closure. Several corporate and business operations roles will be retained and will be relocated to a new headquarters in Georgia before the end of the year, the company said.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision, but one that was ultimately necessary to help put our global Bridgestone Golf business in a better position for the future. We are focused on doing everything we can to support our teammates through this transition, and we are working with local partners to provide access to employment resources,” Bridgestone Golf president and CEO Dan Murphy said. “Our roots in Covington and Newton County run deep. Moving forward, our intention is to continue operating our North America golf business here in Georgia.”
“Bridgestone Golf remains committed to providing the highest-performing products for golfers in North America and beyond,” said Shunsuke Kunihisa, president of Bridgestone Sports. “The North American golf market is the largest in the world, and it remains critically important to Bridgestone. While incredibly difficult, we are confident this strategic decision will strengthen our global supply chain and unlock new opportunities to invest in our brand and drive long-term growth.”
Bridgestone was founded in 1931 by Shōjirō Ishibashi as a tire and rubber manufacturing facility. The company began producing golf balls in 1937 and golf clubs in 1972. The company had begun manufacturing golf balls in Covington in 1990. The Covington property features a 135,000 square-foot testing range and a 24,000 square-foot plant.
Bridgestone Golf continues to represent top professional golfers on the PGA Tour, such as Tiger Woods, Jason Day, Fred Couples, and Chris Gotterup.
Image courtesy Bridgestone Golf
