European machinery firms begin to reopen

Vienna – Some European machinery suppliers forced to shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic are now in process of bringing production back on-line.

Now that Austria has started to relax its nationwide lockdown measures, plastics machinery manufacturer Engel Holding GmbH has reopened its machinery plants in Schwertberg and Valentin, and a robot factory in Dietach.

The company closed down all production at the sites 21 March in connection with the outbreak of Covid-19.

At that time, the number of new infections in regions near the plants was rising strongly. Closing the factories enabled Engel to "actively contribute to slowing down the further spread of the virus," the company said in a statement.

Operations resumed the week of 13 April, although with close observance of the behavioural guidelines put in place by management and the Engel health team.

Based on the recommendations and regulations of the authorities, official set procedures and practices to safeguard the health of all employees in the various areas at work.

The guidelines include modified working hours and staggered rest and lunch breaks.

Vienna-based Wittmann-Battenfeld has been easing back into business as of 20 April, but staff is continuing to work from home wherever possible from home and no site visits are yet permitted.

In a statement, the company noted that the production plants in Hungary and China were operating normally, as were the group's three production plants in Vienna and Wolkersdorf.

Production at the Kottingbrunn, Austria, facility, which had been temporarily closed due to the virus, resumed 20 April.

Germany's KraussMaffei also ended its Covid-related closures on 20 April and says it is resuming work in compliance with strict hygiene measures.

Employees will be given face masks and required to maintain a minimum distance of 2 metres, or about 6 feet, from each other.

Munich-based KM noted that production, assembly and delivery was delayed during the shutdown, and it expects there will be some delays in delivering machines.

The company noted it has stock machines available for immediate use in medical applications, if needed.