Pirelli plant keeps running amid UK floods

Carlisle, UK – Flash flooding in north west England has not had  a significant impact on production at Pirelli's plant in Carlisle, where the floods were heaviest on 5-6 Dec, according to a company spokesman.

"The factory, itself, is not flooded but many of the roads and surrounding areas have been severely affected by the storm over the weekend,” the Pirelli representative told ERJ on 8 Dec.

Production, the spokesman added, faced only “limited disruption” as employees were affected by the floods.

“Due to the extreme problems in the surrounding areas there were some production issues at the factory over the weekend," he said. "However, our team is working effectively to limit disruptions at the site.”

Pirelli’s Carlisle plant has nearly 800 employees and capacity to produce 10,000 units a day.

“We are working with our employees to provide assistance during this extremely difficult time,” the spokesman continued.

Pirelli is also helping other local businesses which have been hit by the storm that has left hundreds homeless and caused major electricity disruption in the region.

“We are offering temporary office space at our site for those in need. For the wider community we will be taking clothes, food, water and toiletries, donated from both the company and employees, to the nearby evacuation centres to assist those affected in the short term,” said the spokesman.