A large number of manufacturing companies in India have informed that they are shutting down their plants in accordance to the government’s action plan to combat Coronavirus COVID 19, with some warning that this will impact earnings.
“The domestic industry is being impacted in unprecedented ways with increasing levels of uncertainty,” said Polycab Industries, one of India’s largest makers of switches, cables and electrical appliances.
The company said it is shutting its manufacturing plants at Halol and Roorkee till further notice.
“The company would also be temporarily required to shut other plants, if it is mandated by advisories issued by respective regulatory authorities or [if] needed.
“Further, due to lockdowns/partial lockdowns in several states of the country, dispatches of the goods to customers have been adversely impacted.
“These events and any further lockdowns/restrictions by the central/state governments may adversely affect the operations of the company and its group companies across India in the near term. The expected financial impact of the above is not ascertainable at this stage,” it said.
The following are excerpts from similar statements issued by other companies (updated regularly).
EXIDE INDUSTRIES
“This is to inform you that in line with the advisories, orders and directions issued by various local and state government authorities to prevent and contain the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the manufacturing facilities and other offices of Exide Industries Limited (“the Company”) are under temporary shutdown in most of the states till further notice. The duration of such shutdown of above manufacturing facilities and offices will depend upon the directives of the respective local / s tate government, which shall be complied with.”
JK CEMENTS LTD
“We wish to inform you that the Company has been taking all recommended precautions in its operations against the spread of Covid-19 which includes sanitization and hygiene, temperature checks, working with reduced workforce, maximizing video-conferencing and minimizing contact, closing employee travels, health and distancing through advisories to employees and following all Government directions on the subject.
“As a next step, the Government Policy now requires closure of production and accordingly the Company has taken a decision on production closure.”
The company said it shutting production and office operations at its JK Cement Works, Nimbahera; JK Cement Works, Mangrol; JK White Cement Works, Gotan and JK Cement Works, Gotan. Facilities in Jharli, Katni and Aligarh are also being shut.
“The duration of the subject shutdown will depend upon respective government policies,” it added.
KIRLOSKAR INDUSTRIES
“Considering the gravity of the threat posed by COVID 19 and in compliance with the directives issued by the Central and State Governments, all the offices of Kirloskar Industries Limited at different locations would remain closed from 23.03.2020, till 31 March 2020.”
BALKRISHNA INDUSTRIES
The company has shut down manufacturing units at Bhiwadi and Chopanki situated in state of Rajasthan and Waluj, Aurangbad in Maharashtra from 22nd March, 2020 until 31 March 2020 and at Bhuj unit in state of Gujarat from 22nd March to 25th March, 2020 as of now.
“ln case, the Government extends the date of the shutdown we will abide by the Government directives. We shall intimate to the stock exchanges once we resume manufacturing activities at our units in states of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
“Safety and well being of the employees remains our top priority in these uncertain times.The shutdown of the manufacturing units will affect the production of the company and will see some financial impact, which is currently difficult to assess.”
MARUTI SUZUKI
“Maruti Suzuki has been taking all recommended precautions in its operations against the spread of COVID-19, which includes sanitization and hygiene, temperature checks, maximizing video-conferencing and minimizing contact, closing employee travel, health and distancing advisories to employees and following all government directions on the subject,” said India’s largest carmaker.
“As a next step, the Government policy now requires closure of production and accordingly the company has taken a decision on production closure.
“The Company will shut production and office operations at its facilities in Gurugram and Manesar, Haryana with immediate effect till further notice. The R&D Centre at Rohtak will also remain closed.
“The duration of this shutdown will depend upon Government policy.”
PRICOL LTD
“We would like to inform you that considering the present situation of spread of COVID -19 and in view of the Government Policy and directions given, to ensure safety of its stakeholders including employees, management decided to close all its office and plants at Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), Pune (Maharashtra), Sricity (Andhra Pradesh), Gurugram (Haryana), Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) from Monday, 23rd March, 2020 untill further notice.”
VOLVO EICHER
“In light of the unprecedented situation owing to the spread of COVID-19 and various advisories shared by the government, management has decided to suspend the operations at various plants starting Monday, March 23, 2020, till March 31, 2020.
“This will include manufacturing facilitiesinPithampur, Baggad, Bhopal and Thane.
“Also, company offices and company owned dealerships operating in affected districts of the country have been closed for the same period.
“However, during this time, scaled down activities to address the customer concerns and emergency services will remain operational.
“VECV’s priority is the safety and well being of all employees, and casual and temporary workers. Company employees will continue to work-from-home during this time frame. VECV will continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate action as per government and administrative guidance.”
GABRIEL LTD
“In view of Government directives to prevent and contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID19) and to ensure the safety and well being of employees and all stakeholders, the Company has decided to close production and office operations at its facilities located at State of Haryana, Maharashtra and Gujarat from 23rd March 2020 until 31st March 2020 (both days inclusive).
“The said operations shall resume on 151 April 2020, unless instructed otherwise based on Government directives.”