Local Business and Economic Development
Yokohama Tire announced today that both of its U.S. plants will remain closed until further notice due to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. A company news release says the Salem location and a second plant in Mississippi have both undergone sterilization and decontamination measures while production has been idled.
NEWS RELEASE: SANTA ANA, CA – (Apr. 13, 2020) – Yokohama Corporation of North America (YCNA) announced today that both of its U.S. plants will remain closed until further notice due to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The suspension of production will remain in effect at Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi (YTMM) and Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Virginia (YTMV).
YTMM, based in West Point, Mississippi, produces commercial truck tires, while YTMV in Salem, Virginia manufactures passenger and light truck tires.
Yokohama, which is committed to the health and safety of plant employees, as well as the community at large, initiated the controlled shutdowns to help stem the spread of COVID-19. Several preventative measures are also in effect at all company facilities. To ensure the health and safety of all personnel upon their return, the two plants have undergone sterilization and decontamination measures while production is idled.
All other facilities remain open and operational, including all U.S. distribution centers where Yokohama’s supply position is healthy. Active efforts to mitigate any disruptions are ongoing as the company continues to work closely with their valued dealer partners.
With the Salt Foot Sanctuary at Hotel Roanoke shuttered due to COVID-19 and social distancing mandates – and the Tour Roanoke minibus not running either – Larry Landolt and company came up with another idea to generate some cash flow. Via social media they are now selling Stay-at-Home “Pamper Packs”:
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A bus agency connecting Virginia cities to Washington, D.C., (originating in Blacksburg) announced plans to suspend service, since not enough customers are taking rides during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Virginia Breeze will suspend all long-distance services starting Friday, the state’s Department of Rail and Public Transportation said in a news release Wednesday. This follows a decision that came just a few days ago to suspend Monday to Thursday services.
The agency’s director, Jennifer Mitchell, said its no longer feasible to maintain service with the lack of demand under the state’s current stay-at-home order. Virginia Breeze will restart when it is safe to travel and the demand returns, Mitchell added.
Nancy Agee-Carilion
On a conference call yesterday that also included US Senator Mark Warner, Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea and several others, Carilion Clinic President and CEO Nancy Agee sounded an alarm about the financial state of hospitals – including the one she runs in Roanoke. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Many local restaurants have had to close because of the coronavirus, but there are some that are still in operation offering takeout. How can you know which ones are open? WFIR intern reporter Rachel Meell has more:
For the takeout maps and other resources from Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, click here.
Laundromats are not businesses where social distancing is the typical norm. So in this coronavirus era, owners are quickly coming up with ways to comply. The owner of six Roanoke-area businesses has removed all the chairs so customers will wait in their cars. And they are asked to do their folding now at home, not on the laundromats’ tables. WFIR’s Evan Jones spoke with Peter Schenck, owner of About Clean, who says his customers have been amazing:
A church in our area is asking residents to take time and support local businesses and think about essential workers dealing with the pandemic. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has that story.
The Spot on Kirk had just booked its busiest two-month stretch ever says operator Bruce Bryan – before COVID-19 and social distancing mandates led to the music venue’s public closure. But for now, The Spot is livestreaming concerts on Sunday nights, including this Sunday at 7 with Betsy Kelderhouse. Bryan says there is a Pay-Pal link if those logging on via Facebook or The Spot on Kirk website want to make a voluntary donation. He also says so far sponsors of the intimate music venue have been supportive.
Yokohama is temporarily suspending tire production at its Salem plant, effective Sunday. The company says it is the result of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact, and the shutdown is expected to last for two weeks. Yokohama’s news release says the entire facility will undergo sterilization and decontamination measures while production is idled.
NEWS RELEASE: SANTA ANA, CA – (Apr. 3, 2020) – Due to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Yokohama Corporation of North America (YCNA) announced today it is temporarily suspending production at its plant in Salem, Virginia. The controlled shutdown at Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Virginia (YTMV) goes into effect on April 5 and is expected to last for two weeks.
YTMV produces passenger and light truck tires and is committed to the health and safety of plant employees, as well as the community. Several preventative measures to help stem the spread of COVID-19 are in effect at all company facilities.
Yokohama’s supply position remains strong with no forecasted disruptions in the company’s ability to serve customers.
To ensure the health and safety of all personnel upon their return, the YTMV facility will undergo sterilization and decontamination measures while production is idled.