The tyre business along with the rest of the automotive industry was hit hard by the effects of coronavirus. This tag brings you the latest news as it happens.
According to the latest information on its website, preparations for The Tire Cologne “are continuing as planned according to the current status for the determined date.” But the tyre trade show has been dealt a further blow in addition to restrictions on large gatherings that were announced yesterday. One of the largest names in the tyre industry has decided against exhibiting due to the risk posed by coronavirus.
Marangoni has confirmed that its production and logistics activities are “running smoothly in all…plants” despite the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak in Italy.
Writing in a statement published on 11 March 2020, Marangoni representatives said: “We are therefore able to receive and process the orders while adopting all the necessary procedures to protect the workers’ health. In particular, our company is taking all the actions to be consistent with the measures provided by the responsible Authorities.”
On the evening of 10 March, Pirelli announced that one of the employees at its Turin factory has tested positive for Covid-19. The third statement in two days from Pirelli said that company was informed by the family of an employee at its Settimo Torinese factory, with the subsequent confirmation of healthcare authorities. In response, the company has slowed down production, but says that it continues to guarantee supply to clients:
No comment yet from organiser Koelnmesse, so perhaps it is too early to speculate on the fate of this year’s The Tire Cologne. Officially it is business with usual, with around 600 companies and brands expected to display their wares between 9 and 12 June. But with the show just three months’ away, Koelnmesse must decide its response to a new decree that restricts large events.
As major tyre businesses reveal their responses to the coronavirus (Covid-19), Bridgestone reports that the epidemic has not impacted its global personnel or its product supply. In a written statement given on 10 March 2020, a Bridgestone spokesperson told Tyres & Accessories:
Pirelli’s business activities remain “guaranteed”, despite the further steps taken by the Italy government to combat Covid-19 yesterday evening.
Nokian Tyres’ supply chain is unaffected, but the company has activated its “global Business Continuity Program” and is carefully reviewing advice in light of the Covid-19 epidemic. According to Nokian Head of Global Security Jukka Rikkinen, one specific change is that Nokian has “temporarily suspended international business travel.”
Pirelli’s business activities are “guaranteed”, despite the steps taken by the Italy government in light of the Covid-19 coronavirus. And there has been no impact on production activities, according to the company.
Marangoni Group has posted a statement on its twitter feed reassuring customers that its Italian production facilities will continue manufacturing despite the coronavirus (Covid-19) emergency. The statement follows the news that 16 million Italian citizens have been quarantined in the North of the country as a result of the epidemic.
The European Tyre Recycling Association (ETRA) board and committee chair have unanimously agreed that “it would be in the best interests of speakers, delegates and guests” to postpone the forthcoming ETRA Conference. Therefore, the 27th ETRA Conference on Tyre Recycling has been delayed until 2 to 4 September 2020. The event had been scheduled to run from 25 to 27 March 2020.
Tyre manufacture at Nexen Tire’s Changnyeong plant in South Korea resumed yesterday after a two-day break in production in order to implement “protective measures” against coronavirus. In disclosures submitted to the Korea Exchange (KRX), the tyre maker reported its intention to suspend tyre production in Changnyeong on 1 and 2 March, and resume operations on 3 March.
In the wake of decisions to cancel a number of exhibitions and trade fairs in Europe, including the Geneva International Motor Show, the organisers of The Tire Cologne met yesterday to discuss how the coronavirus could affect this year’s show and how they should respond to the situation. After taking many factors into consideration, they’ve decided to continue preparing for the exhibition’s doors to open on 9 June, but are keeping a close eye on developments nonetheless – and will act to minimise the potential risk to exhibitors and visitors.
Linglong Tire has been working hard to make good production shortfalls resulting from the coronavirus outbreak. The tyre maker reports that it shipped a record 280,000 tyres on 29 February, with nearly 300 employees working over the weekend at several of Linglong’s sites in China to ensure as many deliveries as possible.
It’s official – the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) won’t take place next month. The decision to cancel GIMS follows an announcement made earlier today by the Swiss Federal Council. The Council has decided to prohibit large-scale events involving more than 1,000 people. The ban comes into immediate effect and will apply at least until 15 March 2020, the day GIMS 2020 was scheduled to conclude.
SingEx Exhibitions has postponed its forthcoming Tyrexpo Africa trade as a result of concerns relating to the coronavirus. As a result, the event will now take place 4-6 August 2020 at Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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