Richard Smith, the European Group managing director of Yamazaki Mazak has thanked the British Manufacturing community in their support of the NHS.
Speaking about the current Coronavirus outbreak, Richard said, “The work our customers, and the wider British manufacturing community as a whole, is putting in to support the NHS is nothing short of outstanding.”
"Some of our partners are working seven days a week to produce products that will go on to save lives.
"On behalf of everyone at Mazak I would like to thank them, and their families, for such a critical contribution."
This news comes following Mazak’s introduction of the Government’s social distancing guidelines, an initial short-term closure and consultation period with production staff allowed for the introduction of several new social distancing and safe working measures.
These included a ‘one-way’ system around the factory; the creation of six areas, each featuring solo working bays with no inter-movement of staff; and a new shift pattern.
Once the measures had been instigated, the factory re-opened with a limited number of staff on-site at any one time, supported by senior management, to complete orders for customers that are still operational. Stuart Astley, production director at Mazak’s production facility in Worcester, added: “The workforce has played a key role in achieving this, not only by helping to establish the new ways of working but by following them to the letter.
"They have been incredibly supportive of what we are doing and I am happy to say that the morale on the factory floor has been superb throughout this difficult time.”