MADRID (Reuters) – Four factories in Spain owned by French tire maker Michelin will resume production over the weekend of January 20-21 due to delays in the delivery of raw materials due to the crisis in the Red Sea, where the company’s production base is located. is scheduled to be discontinued. The Spanish subsidiary made the announcement on Tuesday.
The United States and Britain launched a series of attacks in Yemen last week targeting Iranian-backed Houthi militias. Attacks by the Houthis on international shipping have disrupted one of the world’s most important shipping lanes since December.
More than a dozen shipping companies have opted to divert ships that previously used the route through southern Africa, extending the time it takes to transport goods to Europe by about 10 days.
Michelin had already suspended shifts at its Spanish factory over the weekend of January 13 and 14 due to longer delivery times for raw materials needed for rubber production and shipped by sea from Asia, the company told Reuters. told.
Spanish newspaper Expansion reported earlier on Tuesday that Michelin would shut down for a second weekend, but the company later confirmed to Reuters that the shutdown would take place on January 20-21.
Michelin’s move in Spain is similar to steps taken by other automakers including Tesla and Geely’s Volvo Cars, which last week announced it would halt some production in Europe due to parts shortages.
Michelin’s Spanish factory is the company’s second-largest rubber producer, but the division says it has enough rubber stocks to cope with the current situation, while maintaining the supply of raw materials by sea, adding that it has added additional supplies in Spain. He said he had no plans to take any action.
Spain’s retail and food industry association Aycoc also said the Red Sea crisis was having a “significant impact” on major companies involved in the production and distribution of food, textiles and technology products.
(Reporting by Corina Pons; Editing by Catarina Demony and Louise Heavens)
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