Cooper Tires suspends production in Europe

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has confirmed the temporary shutdown of its tyre plants in Europe. Production at the facilities in Melksham, England and Kruševac, Serbia is being phased down this week. Both plants are expected to remain closed for at least three weeks.

These shutdowns are being implemented both to protect the health and safety of plant employees and also as a response to the coronavirus’ effect upon market demand for tyres.

The tyre maker says it will “continue to closely monitor the situation and adjust timelines as necessary.” It previously announced the temporary closure of plants in the Americas. The big winner in Cooper’s global manufacturing footprint is China, where the plants that reopened several weeks ago are continuing to ramp up production.

Cooper says it is closely monitoring supply chain and product inventory levels globally and will continue to operate distribution centres worldwide until further notice