NEW YORK (Sept. 23, 2005) — Five of Goodyear's retail stores in Louisiana and Mississippi hit by Hurricane Katrina last month will remain closed for an indefinite period, company executives said today in a meeting with analysts.
Goodyear said 12 of its retail stores were or still are flooded, and two Wingfoot commercial centers along the Gulf Coast were damaged following Katrina's landfall. About 100 empolyees were displaced. It did not identify which stores remain closed or the extent of damage.
The company is assessing Katrina's effect on its property, inventory and overall operations as well as the potential financial impact.
Goodyear officials also said that they have taken measures to idle and secure chemical facilities in Beaumont, Texas, ahead of Hurricane Rita's landfall. Goodyear has nearly 20 retail service outlets and three Wingfoot commercial tire centers in the Houston and Beaumont metropolitan areas.