MAN is to restart work at its bus and track plants next week after some six weeks of halted production.
Work was stopped mid-March; including to protect its employees but also due to broken supply chains and the sharp drop in demand for commercial vehicles.
Now the bus and truck plants are to be restarted, backed by comprehensive safety protocols – while the manufacturer is also asking for help at an EU level with measures to stimulate the market; something that the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has also been calling for.
Production will begin at reduced capacity starting 27 April – the same date that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is restarting – and as with VW, MAN will also be adopting extensive health and safety measures, including ensuring a wider distance between employees, changing the routing and, where necessary, protective equipment as well as training and instruction of employees.
“In recent weeks, the crisis management team has been working intensively on the conditions under which our plants can be restarted. Among the key challenges here are the reliable supply of parts by our suppliers, as well as the organisation of our own work processes while protecting our colleagues, but also measures to stimulate demand for commercial vehicles,” said Joachim Drees, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus SE. “Our suppliers come from all EU countries – therefore we are asking politicians to support us with a coordinated approach at EU level to re-enter the market.”
Some employees in both production and administration will continue to work short-time initially, or will make use of existing flexible working time arrangements and work from home wherever possible. The return to the office will also be staggered in accordance with the safety concept.
MAN Truck & Bus will continue to fully maintain the service network for its MAN and NEOPLAN brands in order to keep emergency vehicles, supply chains and local public transport up and running.
