Thailand aircraft plant still out of action; Goodyear seeks help from other manufacturers

Goodyear Tire & Rubber has warned aviation customers around the world that shortages of its cross-ply aircraft tyres may occur as of February or March 2012. This potential supply issue has arisen due to the severe flooding that has affected Thailand since October and disabled Goodyear’s main aviation tyre manufacturing facility in Bangkok. In order to ensure the best possible supply to its customers Goodyear says it will, in addition to increasing production at its aircraft tyre plants in the US and the Netherlands, obtain aircraft tyres from other manufacturers.

During the last week of November the floodwaters receded to a level at which Goodyear was able to assess damage to the plant and gain a clearer understanding of the impact it would have on its global aircraft tyre business. The company says it is “working around the clock” to bring the plant back to full production as soon as possible, however it cautions that a re-start of operations is subject to equipment status, availability of materials, ability to ship product and materials in and out of Thailand, and other factors yet unknown.

To compensate for the lost production in Bangkok, Goodyear says it has increased production of aircraft tyres in its other new and retreaded tyre facilities and is pursuing “other viable sources of tyre supply” for its customers. Regarding the potential supply of third-party tyres, the US manufacturer has given its reassurance in a statement that it “will never compromise on the quality” of its products and said it is “confident in the high quality of the tyres it obtains from these qualified sources.”

Goodyear also said it will retain regular contact with its customers to keep them apprised of the situation as more information becomes known.