Goodyear halting tire production in Europe, Americas

Brussels – Goodyear is scaling back its operations across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and in Americas in response to the global spread of Covid-19 (coronavirus) and “sudden decline in market demand.”

In an SEC filing in Brussels 17 March, Goodyear said it intended to temporarily close its European tire and retread plants in phases by the end of this week, until at least 3 April.

This includes the company’s plants in France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Slovenia. It also includes the D?bica plant in Poland.

Goodyear said its warehouses would remain operational on a reduced staffing schedule in order to maintain customer service.

The tire maker said it has implemented smart working and social distancing measures at all its facilities around the world to help slow the pandemic.

In a separate filing on 18 March, Goodyear said it was suspending production at its tire, retread and chemical plants in North and South America through at least 3 April.

The decision will affect the company's plants in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and the US The company's plant in Peru was closed earlier this week.

Goodyear operates 13 tire plants throughout the Americas, employing roughly 17,000 workers.

The company said it will monitor closely the local conditions surrounding its warehouse and distribution operations, as well as inventory and supply levels.