Hankook to idle US, Hungarian plants for two weeks 

Seoul, South Korea — Hankook Tire & Technology Co. Ltd. is planning to idle production for two weeks at plants in the US and Hungary, starting 30 March, in response to the outbreak of Covid-19 and a decline in demand.

The move in the US will affect 1,200 hourly workers at the plant in Clarksville, Tennessee, said Hankook Tire America in a 25 March statement. 

In Racalmas, Hungary, some 1,800 will be affected at the 13-year-old plant. The plants are scheduled to be closed through 7 April.

Hankook said its six US warehouses, including one located at the Clarksville plant, will continue to operate, supported by Hankook plants in Asia.

The tire maker said it did not anticipate any interruption in sales.

Hankook said its plants in China, Indonesia and South Korea are not affected.