Historic moment as last ever tyre is built at Avon ending production after more than a century
This post is based on an article from the Melksham News from December the 12th, 2023.
Avon Tyre factory mid 20th century
Avon Tyres have been a mainstay of British motorcycling from the very start. I, and most of my motorcycling friends, have Avon tyres of one sort or another on our bikes; you may remember the Safety Mileage, Speedmaster, Roadrider, Roadrunner and other names.
The world is constantly changing and the creeping paralysis of ‘Globalisation’ is gradually strangling independent businesses. Avon classic tyres are now being made by new owners Goodyear in a factory in the EU. They are still available, as usual, from UK suppliers such as Vintage Tyres.
The last tyres came off the production line at Cooper Tires at the beginning of December 2023, in a poignant moment for staff and the town, and the factory finally closed on Wednesday 20th December 2023. Formerly Avon Tyres, the site had been producing tyres in the town for 112 years.
Alan Yates with the last Avon tyre
In October 2022, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Europe, announced plans to close the Melksham site saying it was no longer competitive, leaving 350 staff on notice of redundancy.
The factory has been a cornerstone of the Melksham community for generations with thousands of people working there and having family or friends employed there.
During the last shift, employee Alan Yates, who is a mould changer, ‘cured’ the final tyres, giving them their final shape. One of the last tyres made was for a vintage motorbike from the 1950s. Alan explained that he had carried on with the task while other staff went to sign their final contracts. “I said, I might as well keep the last few tyres going through and it just so happens, they didn’t get back until I was putting the last tyre in,” he explained. “It’s quite weird really, quite an historical moment.”
For a Sunbeam S7
After working at the factory for nearly 19 years, Alan said he now plans to retire. “It feels quite sad to be winding down now,” he said. “Some of the lads have been here nearly 40 years. I have done a couple of different roles around here and I have really enjoyed my time, it’s been brilliant. It’s been a good bunch of people.
“I was here when they had the 100-year centenary, that was quite a big point with parties. I have also seen a lot of changes. What with the takeover of Goodyear and Cooper Tires that took it over from Avon, it’ll be interesting to see what happens to the site. I grew up in Melksham as a kid, I can remember the big fire here. I had relations that worked here. My brother worked here in the ‘70s, and uncles and aunts, it’s been a big employer.”
Another employee, Jordan Smith, who cured the last tyre in the racing department said the team gathered round for the moment when the last tyres came off the production line.
With the factory officially closing this month, some members of staff will continue working, helping to wind the factory down, until summer next year.
Discussions around what will happen with the site and how it will be re-developed have been ongoing. Local people have the opportunity to say how they would like to see the site redeveloped in the current consultation of the town and parish council’s Neighbourhood Plan, which will help re-shape Melksham’s future.
As of May 2024, the factory site and all the machinery were up for sale, and hundreds of skilled jobs had been lost.