Sumitomo halts S Africa tire plant, non-tire facilities

Offenbach, Germany – Sumitomo Rubber Industries is continuing to operate its tire production facilities amid the global Covid crisis, with the exception of its tire plant in South Africa and certain rubber-products units.

SRI has “temporarily suspended” production at the South African unit in LOCATION, due to government orders, subsidiary Falken Tyre Europe said in a written statement.

All other tire production facilities of the group in Japan, China, Brazil, US and Turkey remain in operation, Falken Tyre added.

Sumitomo manufactures 1,400 tonnes per month of passenger car, light truck and truck & bus radial tires at its production plant in Ladysmith, South Afirca.

Elsewhere, sports-goods makers Dunlop International (Philippines) and Roger Cleveland Golf Co. are currently in temporary shutdown, according to the statement.

Merenschwand, Switzerland-based supplier of medical devices, Lonstroff Medical Elastomers is also temporarily closed with plans to resume production in April. 

In compliance with a German government’s decree, Falken Tyre Europe’s Offenbach HQ has established remote-working where possible and is observing guidance on social-distancing for day-to-day business operations.