"The company is pleased to be able to resume its operations much earlier than expected meaning an early return to work for its staff," South Pacific said in a statement.

South Pacific is jointly owned by Pacific Dunlop Ltd and the US-based Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co.

Hundreds of companies in Victoria have been shut down for a week, deprived of gas for their operations since an Esso Australia Ltd gas plant exploded, cutting off all but emergency gas supplies to the state.

South Pacific, which makes Goodyear, Dunlop and Olympic tyre brands for Australian and export markets, said it had switched to diesel-fired boilers used to cure tyres in its factories.

"We have sourced other fuel options from around Victoria and, in some cases, from around the world to get our staff back towork as soon as possible," said general manager of manufacturing, Bryan Mears.

The company employs about 2,000 workers at its four Victorian factories.

State premier Jeff Kennett said on Friday, based on advice from Esso, that gas flows could restart to industry next Monday. But Esso declined to predict when supplies would resume.