ZKW have implemented a package of measures to protect their workforce from the coronavirus. From 12 March, employees will be prohibited doing business outside Europe and crisis regions until further notice. Within Europe, business trips and customer visits are to be kept to a minimum. In addition, a “home office” arrangement has been agreed with the employees in Wieselburg and Wiener Neustadt, for whoever and whenever it is technicall and personally feasible.
The ZKW company restaurant in Wieselburg is now closed. “As one of the largest employers in the region, we are aware of our social responsibility. Although there are no suspected cases at ZKW, we are now taking proactive measures to minimize the risk of infection with Covid-19”, says CEO Oliver Schubert.
For their international locations, ZKW have put a central office in close contact with local health authorities, specialist companies, and occupational physicians. “In coördination with all plants worldwide, we discuss the situation daily in our task forces, exchange solutions, and define necessary measures”, says Schubert. Managers are asked to draw up an emergency staffing plan for their area of responsibility. Any suspected cases and abnormalities must be reported to the local task force immediately. “As an international company, we want to do everything in our power to curb the spread of the coronavirus,” says Schubert.
Production at ZKW is still on schedule. The supply of parts is also guaranteed. “We are currently meeting delivery obligations to our customers on time. The [coronavirus] crisis is expected to have a negative economic impact. Damage will mainly occur if fewer cars are sold worldwide”, Schubert says. ZKW are closely monitoring the supply chain in crisis regions to ensure that there are no supply bottlenecks; Schubert notes the situation in Italy could be problematic in the short to medium term, as important supplies to ZKW come from Italy.