Effects of COVID-19 on BENTELER
- Comprehensive package of measures to protect the health of employees worldwide
- After production stops at car manufacturers, BENTELER also temporarily stops production in some plants
- Solutions for affected employees include working from home, reducing overtime, unpaid leave or temporary part-time work
Salzburg, March 20, 2020. The coronavirus also affects the BENTELER Group. "Our primary goal is to protect the health of our employees", explains Ralf Göttel, CEO of the BENTELER Group: "As an international group represented in China, we have been working for weeks on measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus. We are using this knowledge for all our sites worldwide and have implemented a comprehensive and globally coordinated package of measures at an early stage." This includes among other things:
• Worldwide precaution plans in the event of an infection at a BENTELER site
• Sensitization and information on behaviour rules and on the subject of hygiene; increased cleaning frequencies
• No business trips, as well as the recommendation not to travel privately
• Virtual conferences instead of presence meetings
• Closure of the canteens
• If possible mobile working ("home office")
BENTELER temporarily stops production in some automotive plants
This week, some car manufacturers announced that they would stop production for the time being due to the coronavirus pandemic. As a supplier, BENTELER is joining this decision and temporarily suspending operations at those locations where BENTELER works with these customers. This currently (as of March 20, 2020, 12:00 CET) affects some plants in Spain, the Czech Republic and France. Plants of the BENTELER Steel/Tube Division are currently not affected by a temporary production stop.
"The temporary cessation of production is a major challenge for the employees affected and for us as a company," says Ralf Göttel. "In close cooperation with the works councils, authorities and our customers, we are looking for possible solutions." These could be, for example, mobile working, reduction of overtime, unpaid leave or temporary part-time work. The form depends on the legislation and the specific situation in each country.
Economic consequences currently not assessable
The situation is constantly changing. "We are doing everything in our power to minimize the negative impact on our employees, their families and the company," says CEO Ralf Göttel. "At the same time, as an employer we have a responsibility to secure jobs. Our goal is to continue to secure production for our customers wherever possible without endangering the health of our employees. We all bear responsibility - for ourselves and our fellows."
