Work in VDL Nedcar’s car factory, where cars for BMW and Mini are produced, has partly resumed. However, the factory is not yet running at full speed. The volume may not be scaled up until the second half of May.
A spokesperson said this to NU.nl on Wednesday. On Monday and Tuesday, there were instruction meetings for the employees about the precautions to be taken. The first cars also rolled off the production line on Tuesday. Normally, two shifts work weekly. That has been reduced to one team, which also does not have a full service. The second team will start next week. How many people are working and how much is produced should not be released. In addition, the production number depends on the client BMW.
Walking routes and free coffee
According to a spokesperson, the corona measures start at home. Employees must come to the factory in working clothes so that they do not have to change. Moreover, the suggestion to carpool as much as possible has been dropped. There are also special parking instructions to ensure that not everyone has to enter the same place. Walking routes have also been set out for this purpose and lines have been placed inside and outside for one-way traffic.
In addition, the coffee is free and water is distributed, so that as few people as possible gather around the coffee machines. Canteens and smoking areas are closed. There are now so-called smoke tents on the site.
Extra measures for assembly line
There are extra sinks and soap on the factory floor, while there are personal hygiene kits for office workers. That way, they can clean their workplace (or flex desk) and leave it clean. Although the production line is largely automated and robotized, there is still a lot of manual work involved in the assembly. Assembly workers require additional protection in the form of face masks, gloves, goggles and bulkheads, so that sufficient distance can also be maintained here.
VDL Nedcar stopped production on March 18. The company employs approximately 5,000 people.