The Bridgestone tire plant in Normal will shut down starting this weekend to avoid coronavirus-related problems, the company said in a news release Thursday.
The plant employs about 420 people on its 82-acre site. The facility has made large tires for mining equipment and heavy construction vehicles since 1964.
Bridgestone said the company plans to resume normal operations on or before Sunday, April 12, but will adjust activities as needed.
Bridgestone said it has enough tire inventory to meet customer demand and distribution centers will continue to fill orders.
Bridgestone completed a $12 million, two-year renovation last October to expand production of off-road tire sizes that had been made in Japan.
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