Sumitomo workers OK after disaster

KOBE, Japan (March 15, 2011)—Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. said it had no casualties among workers at its Shirakawa factory following last week’s earthquake and subsequent tsunami in northeastern Japan.

SRI also reports there was no critical damage at the car tire plant, but the ongoing power outage has forced the company to cease production. The factory’s staff have been working to verify safety.

The Shirakawa plant, SRI’s only one in the affected zone, has 1,581 employees, the tire maker said.