Two of the Upstate’s largest employers will temporarily cease production.
BMW Manufacturing and Michelin North America announced they are shutting down all or part of their production operations. Both of the shutdowns were in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BMW’s Friday evening’s announcement said it would cease production April 3 at its Greer plant until at least April 19. The statement from BMW read:
“The health and protection of our associates is our top priority. At the same time, the dynamic development of the corona pandemic is having a major impact on the global demand for cars. BMW Manufacturing is taking a flexible approach and adjusting our production volumes accordingly. On April 3rd we will shut down production at Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina. The production break is expected to last until April 19th.”
About 11,000 employees work at the Greer plant. MAU, a temporary staffing agency, employs an unannounced number. The domino effect of BMW’s shutdown will impact suppliers, too. BMW’s production is based on the on-time delivery of parts. ZF of Laurens announced it was closing its plant, which provides BMW its transmissions, until March 30. ZF Group of Duncan, the chassis provider for BMW, has not made any announcements about its production.
Michelin North America’s announcement said the temporary shutdown begins immediately and is for at least two weeks for some of its tire production facilities in the United States and Canada due to the broad effects of COVID-19.
Distribution and logistics activities will continue to support customers through existing inventories, according to Michelin’s statement. The Company is monitoring conditions closely and has established appropriate contingency plans, prepared to adjust as the situation evolves.
"Michelin remains focused on the health and well being of its employees and communities, and the Company is developing plans and revising policies to mitigate the financial impacts of this temporary shutdown on its employees," according to Michelin’s Eric Bruner.