Bridgestone explained it increasingly needs to optimize and manage costs, and therefore decided to close the LaVergne TBR Tire Plant. The closure will impact approximately 700 hourly and staff employees. The LaVergne Tire Plant in Tennessee began manufacturing TBR tires in 1972.

Bridgestone Americas has announced that it's slashing 700 Tennessee jobs to "optimize its business footprint."

Bridgestone has been "updated and optimizing" its business across the U.S., including in its Nashville headquarters, a statement from the company said. Forthcoming workforce reductions will impact the U.