Beaurepaires Washdyke's doors could close as part of a nationwide restructuring.

A third of the company-owned stores, 24, will close or be sold under a proposal by owner, Goodyear Dunlop.

The company is looking to exit commercial tyre servicing and focus on consumer markets.

The closures will affect 24 stores which mainly offer sales and services for commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks, Goodyear Dunlop spokesman Marty Dinnis said.

Up to 219 staff could be affected – the majority employed in the maintenance of trucks and buses.

Mr Dinniss said all stores that serviced commercial buses and trucks would be affected in a move to focus on the consumer market.

Washdyke staff had been told yesterday and were consulting with management and their union.

Much of the commercial sector work was done off-site at truck yards or at the roadside.

Mr Dinniss could not say how many jobs at the Washdyke store could go or how many people were employed there.

Goodyear Dunlop's wholesale tyre supply to other retailers would not be affected and neither would Beaurepaires' farm tyre servicing operation.

Two commercial re-treading facilities are also up for sale or closure.

The changes had resulted from an internal strategic review which looked at costs.

"It's been a strategic review; it's been determined that this aspect of the business is no longer sustainable for us," Mr Dinnis said.

"They'll be a lot more competitive."

The company would continue to focus on providing tyres for passenger cars, four-wheel drive vehicles and light trucks.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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