MACON, GA.—Kumho Tire USA will idle its plant in Macon, Ga., from April 1-8, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the company, the plant leadership will bring in a cleaning service to conduct a "thorough cleaning and sanitizing" of the plant during the downtime.
Kumho said it is not aware of any employee or contractor that has worked at the facility has a confirmed case of the coronavirus.
"We are extremely proud of our team members accepting individual accountability in support of health and safety," Keith Lolley, human resources director at the plant, said in a statement. "We will continue to monitor our customers and suppliers' actions regarding their operations and follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other authorities' guidance to best manage COVID-19 risks and make necessary adjustments."
While the shutdown is in effect, Kumho said its plants in South Korea and Vietnam will support the U.S. market need, and it does not anticipate any changes in supply availability or operations.
Yong Sik Shin, head of America Business Division at Kumho Tire USA, said the CDC and local communities are helping to guide the company's decisions through this difficult time, as they look to serve customers in a safe, responsible manner.
"We are closely monitoring the situation to make sure we are taking all precautions to protect our employees and their families," Shin said.