Prinx Chengshan released an official statement on the suspension of the factory in Thailand

The Chinese company Prinx Chengshan, whose plant in Chonburi was temporarily closed by the order of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), released an official statement stating that "the enterprise has fully resumed production and returned to normal operating mode after a brief pause".

It is reported that the plant is operating at 100% capacity and is supplying tires to customers around the world according to the established schedule, and Thomas Wölgemuth, Managing Director of Prinx Chengshan in Europe, emphasized that "our main task is to continue uninterrupted supplies of high-quality products to our consumers, adhering to the highest standards of safety and environmental responsibility".

The company adds that the temporary shutdown of production did not affect tire supplies, as there were available product stocks, and the reason for the plant's closure was "problems with compliance with technical regulations related to the expansion of the plant, the use of packaging for the transportation of technocarbon, and the expectation of a permit for the commissioning of a new production line".

"All these issues have been fully resolved in cooperation with the regulatory authorities of Thailand", Prinx Chengshan pointed out, emphasizing that "the plant's shutdown was not related to product defects or environmental damage: this was an administrative pause required to resolve procedural issues. During the plant's shutdown, the company actively cooperated with the IEAT to take corrective measures and obtain the necessary permits for the earliest possible resumption of production. As a result, the regulatory authorities gave permission to resume the plant's operation, and production quickly returned to normal mode".

Prinx Chengshan also categorically denies that the situation was related to any illegal activities of the company. "Despite recent media reports of "non-conforming" tires and improper waste disposal, we state that no defective tires were produced at the plant and there was no illegal disposal of toxic waste", the company's statement says. "All products meet established safety standards and have the necessary operational characteristics".

Regarding the tires with erased production dates and Prinx Chengshan brand logos found at the plant, the company stated that "this is part of the quality control process applied to tires that do not meet our strict requirements, such as trial tire samples or tires with minor cosmetic defects: such tires are marked to ensure that they are not mistakenly sold to consumers".

"Any tire that does not meet the specifications is disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner according to international waste management standards", Prinx Chengshan points out. "This means that no non-conforming or unmarked tire will be released to the market".

The company adds that it provided full support to the Thai authorities and "respects and values the supervision by the IEAT and other regulatory bodies". "We are grateful to the Thai authorities for their cooperation", Thomas Wölgemuth said. "Our team worked together with regulators to quickly clarify and resolve all issues that arose, which allowed us to resume production".

Prinx Chengshan also reported that it complies with all laws and regulations in force in Thailand, and that this "is our top priority". In addition, additional measures have been taken to ensure that the company's activities comply with safety and environmental protection standards. "Our company has no complaints or objections to the actions of regulatory authorities. On the contrary, Prinx Chengshan considers their intervention in the plant's operation as an opportunity for further improvement and confirmation of our commitment to advanced production practices", the company stated.

The plant in Chonburi, launched in 2021, was designed in accordance with the Industry 4.0 concept, and Prinx Chengshan says that modern technologies have made it possible to increase production efficiency, as well as reduce waste and overall environmental impact. "We are proud of this achievement and will continue to invest in environmentally friendly methods at the plant in Thailand", the company noted.

Prinx Chengshan also stated that it is necessary to clarify the situation in connection with the fact that some media "misinterpret the reasons for the production stop, hinting at serious violations, which did not exist". "Reports of illegal waste disposal or production of unsafe tires are inaccurate and not based on facts", the company points out. "We urge all parties, including our customers and partners, to rely on official data and verified information, rather than rumors and speculation".

Wölgemuth added that "unfortunately, some recent reports have ignored the facts. We want to make it clear: our reputation in terms of compliance is impeccable, our products pose no safety risk, and we have promptly resolved all procedural issues".

Prinx Chengshan does not name specific media outlets but emphasizes that it rejects all allegations against it. "There were no environmental violations, and we did not compromise on product quality, and any statements to the contrary are simply lies", the company stated. "We vouch for our reputation, based on product quality and honest business. Prinx Chengshan also remains committed to open communication and actively informs stakeholders about the development of the situation, and the company will continue to report on any further events in a timely manner, and also calls on the media to contact its representatives for accurate information".

The company adds that "with the resumption of full-scale operation of the plant in Thailand, we are focused on further development and meeting the needs of our customers and partners. The company considers the incident as a valuable experience that will ultimately improve both our compliance processes and consumer trust".

"The plant in Thailand is an important part of our global family, and we are glad that it is back in operation. We will continue to maintain the highest standards of quality and environmental responsibility, as well as comply with regulations in all areas of our business", Wölgemuth concluded.

Photo: Stephen Goodchild / Tyre Industry Publications Ltd.