European machinery firms begin to reopen

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 March 21 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 April 13, although with close observance of the behavioral guidelines put in place by management and the Engel health team. Based on the recommendations and regulations of the authorities, officials 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.

Seating arrangements in office areas ensure a minimum distance of at least 5 feet between workers. The company has issued protective masks to its employees. It has also has more frequent cleaning and regularly disinfects frequently used facilities and equipment. Yet for the time being, many employees are still working from home. Also, no plant visits or factory acceptance tests are currently allowed to be scheduled.

Vienna-based Wittmann Battenfeld has been easing back into business as of April 20, but staff is continuing to work from home wherever possible 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 April 20.

Production operations at the La Buisse, France, site partially reopened on April 9, while all other activities such as the service hotline, spare parts delivery and technical consultations remain open.

Wittmann Battenfeld's U.S. operations Torrington, Conn., were deemed an essential business by state officials for supplying machinery, equipment and support to numerous medical and packaging molders.

Operations have continued at the Torrington site with a voluntary staff of about 30 on-site supporting production for essential customer needs. All other staff is working from home.

Germany's KraussMaffei also ended its COVID-related closures on April 20 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 meters, or about 6 feet, from one another.

Munich-based KM noted that production, assembly and delivery were 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.