Production at Michelin's plants in Mexico back on stream

Production at Michelin's plants in Mexico back on stream TIRE BUSINESS STAFF   TWEET SHARE SHARE EMAILPRINTQUERETARO, Mexico — Industrias Michelin S.A. de C.V. has restarted production at its plants in Leon and Queretaro, Mexico, "in accordance with the stipulations and recommendations" by the federal government and the Secretary of Health of Mexico.

Both of Industrias Michelin's plants in Mexico produce passenger and light truck tires. The plants, opened in 2018 and 1987, respectively, are rated at 1,150 and 6,000 units a day. Combined they employ over 800 workers.

The company did not say how long the factories were idled, but did say the return, which started May 25, "will be based on production demand, based on internal guidance."Work activities at the firm's corporate offices in Queretaro resumed June 1, the company said, on a gradual basis. "Vulnerable personnel" are required to continue working from home.Sales force employees and field engineers began re-establishing contact with clients on June 1, in accordance with each client's protocols and guidelines of each of the states where Michelin has a presence. As with office personnel, vulnerable personnel must continue working from home.

Michelin stressed that self-evaluations, as required by the Mexican Institute of Social Security, will be in force at each work site to ensure a healthy and good return.

The status of other Michelin plants in North America, in the U.S. and Canada, is unclear. The company has not commented publicly on their operating status since mid-March, when North America Inc. announced it would idle production at some of its tire plants in Canada and the U.S. due to the broad effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the interim, the company declined to comment specifically on which plants had been idled and which have been brought back on stream.

Michelin called its action in March a "phased" suspension of manufacturing that was scheduled to last for at least two weeks but would exclude "vital and critical tires for the country's economic continuity."

Local media in Oklahoma reported Michelin's plant in Ardmore was slated to restart May 26.