Japan-based tyre and rubber company Bridgestone will suspend operations at 11 Japanese plants across select prefectures in late April and early May, in response to the unstable market conditions and poor demand amid the quickly spreading COVID-19 outbreak.
According to the company, eight tyre plants in six prefectures will become idle for six additional days after the original suspension period (May 3 to May 6 is the spring holiday period in Japan); a tyre reinforcement materials manufacturing plant in Saga prefecture will similarly shut for four additional days;while two rubber goods factories, each in Kumamoto and Gifu prefectures,will shut for two days.
Bridgestone has decided on these measures as it ensures the health and safety of employees and further addresses market/customer needs. The coronavirus pandemic has also affected automakers such as Toyota Motor and steelmakers such as Nippon Steel – these are opting to curb output after discouraging global vehicle sales.