FINDLAY, Ohio—Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.'s tire plants in the U.S. and Mexico will remain idled for at least two more weeks. This protects the health and safety of employees during the coronavirus pandemic and responds to falling market demand.
Cooper initially began phasing down production at these plants on March 21, and said at that time they would be idled for two to three weeks. Cooper operates three tire plants in in the U.S. and one in Mexico, employing approximately 5,200 hourly workers
Cooper also said its plants in Serbia and England, where production was idled March 23, remain closed on a temporary basis.
The temporary plant closures affect facilities in Findlay, Ohio; Clarksdale and Tupelo, Miss.; Texarkana, Ark.; and El Salto, Mexico.
In China, Cooper's tire plants reopened several weeks ago and have continued to ramp up production.
As the slow downin production continues, the tire maker is monitoring the supply chain and product inventory levels. It believes it has sufficient supply of product.
Cooper's distribution centers in the U.S. continue to operate.