Yokohama Philippines plant shut after fire in warehouse
16 May 2017
Share:
Clark Freeport, The Philippines – Yokohama Tire Philippines Inc. (YTPI) has cancelled work for more than 2,000 workers to investigate a fire that broke out in its Phase 3 warehouse on 14 May, according to local press reports.
It is unclear when the plant, which is Yokohama’s biggest factory outside Japan, will resume work, The Inquirer quoted YTPI vice president for administration Angelina Casasola as saying.
The fire, according to the official, destroyed newly made tires meant for export.
The cost of damage is still being determined, the report added.
In December last year Yokohama commissioned an expansion of capacity at the plant which exports the majority of its output to North America, Europe and other ASEAN countries.
Yokohama budgeted $118 million in 2013 for the expansion at its 20-year-old plant in Clark Freeport Zone, a special economic zone located on the site of a former US Air Force base.
The expanded capacity, to 12.5 million tires a year, makes the Philippine plant Yokohama’s second largest worldwide. The latest expansion added capacity for tires up to 20 inches rim diameter.
This article is only available to subscribers - subscribe today
Subscribe for unlimited access. A subscription to European Rubber Journal includes:
Every issue of European Rubber Journal (6 issues) including Special Reports & Maps.
Unlimited access to ERJ articles online
Daily email newsletter – the latest news direct to your inbox