Yokohama Tire Corp. is cutting 50 employees from its roster about 820 people at a factory in Salem, Virginia.

"The positions are being phased out to more effectively streamline YTMV's current production schedule and inventory capacity," Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Virginia Llc. said in a statement cited by WDBJ news.

About 8 percent of the factory’s union work force of 631 people will be cut, particularly workers who were there five years or less.

In December, the factory celebrated its 25th anniversary while producing its 80 millionth tire, according to Modern Tire Dealer.

“The plant helped establish our brand by providing a strategic manufacturing facility in the United States to serve both the OEM and replacement markets,” Tex Murakami, president of Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Virginia, said. “The accomplishments are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our employees.”

Yokohama Tire Corp. and YTMV are part of Yokohama Corp. of North America, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tokyo, Japan-based Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.