Bridgestone to permanently close LaVergne facility, 658 employees affected

LaVergne, TN — Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC has officially filed a WARN Notice with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, confirming the permanent closure of its manufacturing facility in LaVergne, Tennessee. The closure will result in the layoff of 658 employees, with operations set to cease beginning July 31.

The LaVergne plant, located between Murfreesboro and Nashville, has been a fixture in the region’s industrial sector for decades. Originally opened by Firestone in 1971 and later acquired by Bridgestone in 1988, the facility became the company’s first U.S. manufacturing site.

The WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) Act filing serves as formal notice to the state and affected workers, allowing time for transition planning and support services. The layoffs will impact both hourly and salaried employees, many of whom are represented by the United Steelworkers union under a collective bargaining agreement.

Bridgestone cited the need to optimize its business footprint and improve operational efficiency as the primary reasons for the closure. The company has not yet announced whether production will be shifted to other facilities or if additional restructuring is planned.

Local and state workforce agencies are expected to mobilize resources to assist displaced workers through job placement services, retraining programs, and unemployment support.

The closure is a significant blow to the local economy and marks a major shift in Bridgestone’s manufacturing strategy in the U.S.