NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bridgestone Americas Inc. is planning to suspend production temporarily at its factories in North America and Latin America, starting March 21, with plans to resume normal operations on or before April 12.
The company said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust response plans and activities as necessary.
Bridgestone has 15 tire plants in North and Latin America, employing roughly 15,500 workers.
Bridgestone said it has sufficient supply of product to meet customer demand, and its distribution centers, plant warehouses and logistics teams will continue to fill orders. The temporary shutdown of its manufacturing facilities will help to align supply to the predicted demand in the market.
"As the company carefully monitors the coronavirus situation, it is continuing to take action in all aspects of operations to ensure the health and safety of our employees while also addressing the needs of customers and the market," the company said in a statement.
Goodyear, on March 17, took steps to close its tire manufacturing facilities in Europe. The next day, it disclosed that it would phase out production at its North and South American facilities. Goodyear said the global closures will continue through April 3.
Michelin followed suit in Europe, saying on March 19 that it temporarily would close facilities in countries that have been most affected by the coronavirus pandemic.