By Shahrzad Pourriahi, Crain News Service
KUMAMOTO, Japan (April 22, 2016) — Bridgestone Corp. has resumed production at its Kumamoto plant on Kyushu after a series of earthquakes hit the island earlier last week.
The facility mainly produces rubber track and industrial rubber hose.
“The plant halted its production when it was hit by the earthquake on April 14, however it restarted production in the morning of April 21,” confirmed Bridgestone Japan spokesman Yoichiro Oda in a written statement to Crain News Service.
The plant, stopped production to ensure safety, Mr. Oda said, but damage there was “not so big, no buildings or equipment were destroyed.”
He did not disclose financial costs of the production halt and damages.
In terms of supply interruptions, Mr. Oda said, the plant had little problem as the inventory covered it.
This report appeared on the website of European Rubber Journal, a United Kingdom-based sister publication of Tire Business.