7:30am Wednesday 23rd May 2012
A COOKLEY-based wheel manufacturer has had to halt work at its factory in Italy after it was left damaged following an earthquake.
Bosses at Titan Europe Plc, which designs and manufactures wheels, undercarriage components and assemblies for tracked and wheeled off-road vehicles, said the damage to the facility appeared to be “repairable” on first assessment.
The quake struck north of Bologna and between the towns of San Felice sul Panaro, Sermide and Finale Emilia, where the factory is located, on Sunday. None of the staff were injured in the incident.
The Italian factory accounts for annualised sales of around £50 million - 10 per cent of the group’s revenue but bosses said the financial impact of the temporary closure was “limited”.
The international engineering group, which also supplies ground engaging tools and wet brake systems, said work could not start on the building until clearance was given by the Italian Authorities and a structural survey is completed.
Management is currently organising the transfer of production to the company’s facilities in France and Turkey and is also looking for assistance from Titan International’s facilities in the USA and other associates.
The group also has facilities in Germany, Spain, South Africa, Brasil, Chile, Peru, Australia, Indonesia, China and Japan.
The Titan Italia management team will be working closely with customers to minimise supply chain disruption until the Finale factory is reopened.
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