Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is shutting down its tire manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Mexico beginning March 21, 2020
The process of phasing down production at the plants began March 21 and will proceed on a rolling schedule over the coming week, with facilities expected to be closed for two to three weeks.
The timelines will be adjusted if needed. The company pany said this step protects the health and safety of employees and responds to market demand that has been impacted by coronavirus.
The company is assessing plans for its Europe operations. Cooper’s plants in China, which reopened several weeks ago, and have continued to ramp up production, remain in operation.
Cooper says it believes it currently has sufficient supply of product and will continue to operate distribution centers until further notice to meet customer needs.
As the coronavirus has continued to spread across the globe, Cooper has put in place measures to protect employees and meet the needs of all stakeholders including travel restrictions, remote working, social distancing, additional cleaning and disinfecting of facilities, limited visitor access and other necessary steps, which all remain in effect.
