AKRON — Goodyear is keeping all of its tire and retread plants throughout the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regions closed "until further notice," just as it is doing with its plants in the Americas.
Goodyear said it continues to monitor inventory levels "to keep essential community services moving" as the world continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
"During this unprecedented and extremely fluid situation, Goodyear's top priorities are the health and wellbeing of our associates and service to our customers, many of whom continue to provide essential services to the community, such as emergency response and transport of critical goods like food and medicine," the tire maker said.
Goodyear originally said it would close its EMEA facilities abroad at least until April 3.
The European initiative includes 11 tire plants in France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland and Slovenia, which collectively employ nearly 12,000 workers, according to data published in Tire Business' Global Tire Report.
Goodyear's warehouses, mounting and distribution centers remain open "to support our essential service customers."
The Goodyear mold plant in Luxembourg resumed to operate partially this week, the company said, in order to prepare "for a timely restart of production and to maintain inventory, where needed."
In addition, Goodyear said it is adjusting work schedules of employees in its research and development centers and sales offers "to reflect the level of activities."
The company said it has encouraged all workers who are able to perform their work remotely to work from home.
The company said it has put "preventive measures" in place at all facilities that remain in operation "to help protect associates and reduce the overall spread of COVID-19, including additional cleaning and availability of sanitizing products; limiting visitors to business-critical guests only; and practicing appropriate physical and social distancing."
To further protect the health and wellbeing of its associates, customers and communities, the company is following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and has introduced preventive measures at its facilities, including limiting visitor access and business travel, implementing remote working and social distancing practices, and increasing frequency of disinfection.