Update: Apollo resumes production at flood-hit plants

Kochi, Kerala – Apollo Tyres Ltd has resumed production of tires at two of its plants in Perambra and Kalamassery, Kerala as a result of recent floods in the region.

The company said in a 20 Aug filing with the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) that it had to suspend production due to the floods, which have left over 370 dead in the southern Indian province.

In correspondence with ERJ on 21 Aug, Apollo confirmed that production had already restarted with "around 30% attendance [of employees]".

"It will take a week's time to reach 100% production levels," the company confirmed to ERJ.

In its BSE filing, Apollo estimated the production loss caused by the disruption at 15,000 tonnes as of 20 Aug.

The Indian tire maker noted that the “consequential loss of profit” would not be significant and that the natural disaster was adequately covered under its insurance policy.

As reported by ERJ, the monsoons have also impacted natural rubber production in Kerala, with an estimated 40% decline in production in the region.