Bridgestone Taiwan Announces Sudden Closure of Hsinchu Plant; 553 Employees Affected

Hsinchu (May 11, 2026) — Bridgestone Taiwan Co., Ltd. unexpectedly notified its employees last Friday (May 8) that the company would cease operations at its Hsinchu manufacturing facility. Early this morning, employees were transported in groups to four different locations for labor negotiations. The Hsinchu County Department of Labor Affairs confirmed that while the Hsinchu plant’s production lines are closing, the sales department will remain active. A total of 553 employees are affected and will be laid off in three separate phases.

Mass Layoff Schedule and Compliance

Tang Shao-tang, Director of the Hsinchu County Department of Labor Affairs, stated that Bridgestone is currently engaged in autonomous negotiations with employees. The layoffs are expected to proceed in three waves:

• First Wave: Scheduled for early July.

• Total Affected: 360 Taiwanese employees and 190 migrant workers (553 in total).

While the official notification to the provincial government and employees occurred last Friday (May 8), the actual termination dates starting in July comply with the "Act for Labor Protection of Mass Redundancy," which requires a 60-day advance notice.

Lu Chao-yun, head of the Labor-Management Relations Division, noted that the company communicated the severance plan to union leaders last Wednesday (May 6) before beginning formal negotiations with affected staff today. The company has officially filed the mass layoff notification, and the process is currently proceeding according to legal regulations.

Official Statement: Business Transformation

In a statement released today (May 11, 2026), Bridgestone Taiwan announced the launch of a business transformation to align with global operational strategy adjustments and long-term market development needs.

This transformation is a key component of the Bridgestone Group’s efforts to optimize its global operational layout and resource allocation in response to shifting market competition and demand structures. Key points of the announcement include:

• Production Halt: All manufacturing activities at the Hsinchu plant will cease effective May 11, 2026.

• Strategic Pivot: The company will shift its focus toward a sales and service-oriented business model in Taiwan.

• Future Outlook: Bridgestone intends to continue its commitment to the Taiwan market by strengthening local distribution channels and introducing a more comprehensive product portfolio to meet the ongoing global industry evolution.