Perlon®, a Serafin Group company, continues to produce its quality filaments at all five sites for customers in the current challenging climate. Production in China has been operating as normal since the beginning of March after having to be temporarily halted due to the spread of COVID-19 in that area. Production is now back up to 100%.
Production in Germany at Perlon® sites in Munderkingen (Baden-Wuerttemberg), Bobingen (Bavaria) and Wald-Michelbach (Hesse) as well the US is continuing to run without any constraints. Therefore all sites are working to full capacity to fulfill all customer orders. In particular, the paper machine clothing area has had an increase in sales which offsets a reduced demand in other areas such as automotive.
In an effort to meet regional and national demand for respirator masks, Wisconsin-based companies Monterey Mills and Eder Flag are teaming up to begin production of vitally needed barrier masks for use by front-line medical personnel and others seeking protective face coverings.
Monterey Mills based in Janesville, WI is the largest textile mill of its kind in North America, and supplier of knitted pile fabric used in a variety of medical and air-filtration products. Eder Flag, based in Oak Creek, WI is the nation’s largest manufacturer of flags and flagpoles and is converting part of its flag-sewing operations to produce the barrier masks.
ABMA has initiated a resource page for COVID-19 with variety of resources available and ties into the National Association of Manufacturers resource page which has a very comprehensive listing. The ABMA plans to add to the page as more resources become available.
The ABMA has new improved versions for contacting government officials to ask for “essential” business classification. Check out the resources here:
www.abma.org/news/abma032210
The ABMA also announced today that it will be facilitating a member round table discussion of COVID-19. Meeting details:
Perlon posted the following statement on March 17, 2020 from Frank Winkes and Ralf Hellinger, Vice Presidents, Sales & Marketing, Perlon Group:
Perlon produces quality filaments at five sites on three continents for its customers and operates a strategy of acting globally but producing locally while sourcing where possible from local suppliers. In times like this in which familiar delivery networks have come to a halt, this strategy is paying dividends. At the time of writing (March 17, 2020), we can report that all of our sites are operating normally and at full capacity on fulfilling customer and stock orders. There are currently no supply shortages of our raw materials nor do we foresee any in the short term. We have proactively planned and are keeping our stock levels high to enable us to optimally offset any possible temporary supply disruption of any of our suppliers.
In support of the latest directives of the Italian Government, Borghi S.p.A. has ordered the temporary suspension of all production activities in its Italian factories from March 23–27. This decision was made in addition to the measures already adopted over the past few weeks to protect health and the safety of its employees against the Corona virus. Since the well-being of the employees is the company’s top priority, Borghi S.p.A. wishes to adhere even closer to the protocol issued by the Italian Government, which provides for the suspension of production activities under the current special circumstances.
By Phillip M. Perry
Businesses face daunting operational challenges as the rapid spread of COVID-19 causes employees to call in sick and customer counts to dwindle. Managers can reduce workplace disruptions with measures such as revisiting sick leave policies and allowing some employees to work from home. Whatever the details of an organization’s response program, though, it must begin with the maintenance of a virus-free environment.
“An employer’s general duty is to maintain the health and safety of the workplace,” says Joseph Deng, an employment law partner at Baker & McKenzie in Los Angeles (bakermckenzie.com). “A business must be free of hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. In light of the virus, employers should pay close attention to what the national, state and local authorities are advising.”