DUE to the severe flooding in Thailand, US-based Goodyear Tire & Rubber expects a global shortage of bias aviation tyres that may begin affecting the commercial airline industry in February or March 2012.
This situation is a result of the catastrophic flood in Thailand in October that disabled many manufacturing operations in that country, including Goodyear’s main aviation tyre manufacturing facility in Bangkok. The floodwaters that idled Goodyear’s plant finally receded during the last week of November, allowing the company to make an assessment of the damage and to get a clearer understanding of the impact on the global aviation tyre business.
In response to the flood, Goodyear has increased its production of aviation tyres in its other facilities and is pursuing other viable sources of tyre supply for its customers. Its ongoing recovery response includes seeking assistance from other aircraft tyre manufacturers to respond to an industry-wide concern.
As this extreme natural disaster affects the global commercial airline industry, Goodyear is asking other aviation tyre manufacturers to help mitigate potential supply disruptions; seeking assistance and support from its suppliers, governments and regulatory agencies to enable the fastest possible return of full supply of global aviation tyres in addition to restoring full production at its Bangkok facility as quickly as possible; increasing production at its other aircraft tyre facilities – new tyre manufacturing and retread production in the US and in Tilburg, the Netherlands; working around the clock to bring its Thailand manufacturing facility back to full production as soon as possible.
The re-start will be subject to equipment status, availability of materials, ability to ship product and materials in and out of Thailand and other factors yet unknown.(PRA)
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