Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has temporarily closed its headquarters and factory in China in response to the coronavirus respiratory virus first identified in the city of Wuhan.
The facilities will remain closed until at least Feb. 9.
The company’s Chinese headquarters is in Shanghai and the manufacturing plant is in Pulandian. The plant produces premium, large-rim-diameter consumer tires and commercial tires for the China and Asia Pacific region markets. A development center is located on the Pulandian campus as well.
Goodyear has suspended travel to and from China "except for business-critical trips." The company's statement on the closures follows:
"Our thoughts go out to all those affected by the coronavirus. The safety and wellbeing of our associates are Goodyear’s highest considerations, and we are closely monitoring this dangerous health risk and taking actions to protect our team from exposure to it. We have suspended travel to and from China except for business-critical trips, and we have advised all associates worldwide to consider if their objectives for any near-term travel can instead be met through technology. We are actively encouraging our associates to follow CDC guidelines for preventing the spread of respiratory viruses. Our Goodyear associates located in the Asia Pacific region are receiving specific local guidance as the situation evolves there.
Goodyear’s headquarters in Shanghai, as well as our manufacturing plant in Pulandian, are closed until at least February 9 and we will continue to work with the Chinese government to determine the appropriate time to reopen these facilities."
