Michelin warns Spanish plants have no guaranteed future beyond 10 years

César Moñux, president of Michelin Spain and Portugal, has warned that none of the company’s four Spanish factories—located in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Lasarte, Aranda de Duero, and Valladolid—have a guaranteed future beyond ten years.

Speaking at the ‘Foro Capital’ in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Moñux noted that global tire production has dropped by 20% in tonnage over the last four years, leading to plant closures in various countries. He emphasized the need for differentiation through high-value-added products and highlighted that maintaining the Vitoria-Gasteiz plant, which is among the group’s top three globally, remains a significant challenge.

Moñux also addressed the issue of absenteeism, which he stated has doubled in the last decade. He described absenteeism as an economic and social problem linked to business competitiveness, calling for a rigorous approach to addressing physical and mental health, prevention, and working conditions rather than engaging in polarized debates.