Trelleborg restarting operations at Chinese facilities

London – Trelleborg AB has reopened the majority of its production facilities in China following a long halt due to the outbreak of the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

The situation in China is “somewhat of a moving target” and that the operational status may change depending on local decisions, Trelleborg head of communications Karin Larsson said in a 12 Feb written statement to ERJ. 
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“All facilities are following the instructions of local authorities,” explained the Swedish group’s spokeswoman. “This is the reason we’re gradually returning to normal production capacity.”

Along with the restart of operations, another challenge for the company is around the supply-chain, Larsson noting that transport companies face problems in terms of local restrictions and personnel in quarantine.

Trelleborg has eight production facilities in China, including two in the city of Wuhan where the disease was first reported.

The group manufactures agricultural and industrial tires, sealing solutions, fenders, automotive boots, printing blankets and antivibration systems across its Chinese operations.

It employs 1,600 people in China and has so far had no cases coronavirus infection among its employees.

In its annual results report published 12 Feb, Trelleborg said it was currently not possible to estimate any loss of income as a result of coronavirus outbreak.

First reported in late December 2019, the virus has so far taken 1,300 lives, almost all of them in China, and infected more than 60,000 globally.