On 8 October 8 2025 the European Parliament approved Germany's application for support from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) for workers made redundant by Goodyear Germany GmbH. 3,1 million euros of EGF funding have been approved by the EU to actively promote the reintegration of 915 dismissed workers into the labor market. This is an excellent sign of European solidarity for former employees of Goodyear in Fulda and Hanau and once again demonstrates the importance of the EU Structural Funds.
Goodyear Germany GmbH is a subsidiary of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, which manufactures, recaps, and distributes tires worldwide. In 2024, the company was forced to undergo extensive restructuring due to a significant decline in demand, increasing competition from low-cost imports from Asia, and rising costs. The closure of the plant in Fulda and the partial shutdown of the site in Hanau as a result of this measure led to the loss of 1,171 jobs in total. Former employees had already received support from the EGF in 2018 following the closure of the plant in Philippsburg.
For those affected, the redundancies represent a major setback in their employment history. This is where EGF funding comes in, creating new prospects for former employees. Specifically, the EGF provides tailored training, counseling, career preparation and guidance, as well as other measures to help people acquire new skills and reintegrate into the labor market, particularly in the field of digitalisation. The funding has a total volume (including the national contribution) of around €5 million. The EGF support measures are being implemented by the transfer service provider PMB International GmbH.