OSAKA, Japan (March 12, 2011) — Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. is reporting it has suspended production at its tire factory in Sendai, Japan — near the epicenter of the March 11 earthquake that shook Japan — and is attempting to verify the “safety and welfare” of its employees in the area.
Toyo said production at the plant in Sendai was suspended due the loss of power in the region. The company said it is taking “appropriate steps to respond to the crisis,” including setting up an emergency crisis center.

Once power is restored and the safety of the plant has been confirmed, Toyo said it plans to restore operations, but it is not yet clear when this might happen.

The Sendai plant employs 1,200 workers, making passenger, light truck, medium truck, industrial and racing tires.

Toyo said none of its plants was affected by the tsunami that followed the 8.9-magnitude earthquake that struck off Japan’s northeast coast at 2:46 p.m. March 11, and that it appears none of its facilities has suffered significant damage.

At this time, it is not yet known what the company’s financial losses or the impact to business results will be from this earthquake.