Triangle tire plants in China back to near full production

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Triangle Tyre Co. Ltd.'s tire plants in China are back to operating near full capacity after a lull created by the Chinese New Year and subsequent coronavirus shutdown.

"With much uncertainty about how the coronavirus pandemic will affect global tire production, we are grateful that the four Triangle plants are now operating at above 90% capacity," f Triangle Tire USA CEO Manny Cicero said.

The Triangle plants experienced a three-week shutdown due to the Chinese New Year followed by precautions taken for the virus outbreak in China. Almost all employees are now back at work, Mr. Cicero said.

"Our main concern remains the health and welfare of all Triangle team members worldwide and that of our customers' employees and families. We are thankful, nevertheless, that our production is up and running," he said.

The company's plants are located in and around Weihei, Shandong Province, on the Yellow Sea coast, a great distance away from the virus epicenter in Wuhan, Mr. Cicero said.

Triangle focuses primarily on commercial truck, OTR and ST-type trailer tires in North America.

Mr. Cicero said there are numerous containers of Triangle tires on the water headed to the U.S. and that the Triangle logistics department is attempting to navigate obstacles created by the worldwide pandemic.

"Triangle Tire also has the benefit of a massive, highly automated warehouse that will help keep our customers fully supplied with the commercial and consumer tires they need," he said.