Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. is releasing good news about its Sendai passenger tire manufacturing plant in Japan.
Production at the plant, located in the Tohoku area, was suspended in the aftermath of the "Pacific Coast of Tohoku Earthquake." Toyo cited a lack of power for the reason. Here is an update as of today, March 18.
Toyo announced that some of the power at the Sendai factory has been restored. The company began a "test operation" today, and expects to resume partial production activity next week.
"Regarding tire production quantity, the number of tires will be limited for the time being," says Toyo. There are three main factors affecting the ramp up:
1. There have been shortages of oil, raw materials, etc.;
2. The truck transportation system in Japan has been troubled due to a lack of fuel; and
3. Many roads have been blocked by the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami.
Toyo says it will increase plant production as the infrastructure in the area improves.
(For more information, click on "Toyo, Bridgestone report on Japan quake.")
