Pirelli halting production at some European plants, US

Milan, Italy – Pirelli & C. SpA is halting production at some of its key European manufacturing plants and in the US in response to the global outbreak of Covid-19.

In a statement 22 March, the tire maker said it was suspending the manufacturing of tires at its Italian factories in Settimo Torinese and Bollate, in Italy, 

Pirelli did not indicate how long the suspension would last, but said the move was in compliance with the Italian government’s new provisions to beat the spread of the virus.

Pirelli also announced a series of production halts at its other manufacturing units on 20 March.

In Slatina, Romania, the tire maker is suspending manufacturing at between 23 and 31 March. 

Operational since 2004, the plant manufactures 15 million units of tire per year and employs 4,000. 

The Italian tire maker is also halting production at its UK factories in Burton on Trent and Carlisle beginning 23 March, due to the coronavirus spread and the “significant slowdown of demand in the automotive sector.”

In the UK, Pirelli said it would will continue to supply clients from available stock.

In Rome, Georgia, Pirelli Tire North America Inc. said it was scaling back production starting 22 March, and ultimately suspending manufacturing for one week, starting 29 March. 

The factory, which manufactures 400,000 units a year and employs 300 people, will be cleaned and sanitised while closed, Pirelli added.

The company has not commented on the operation activities of its plants elsewhere.