Anthony Monaghan
Manufacturing and Automotive Industry Leader, UK & Ireland
The COVID-19 pandemic and consequent government measures to slow its spread have severely affected the global economy. At the start of the pandemic, many manufacturers shut down production following supply chain interruptions, affecting demand, supply, and workforce availability.
As many countries are now easing restrictions, manufacturers and other businesses are beginning to return to work. For manufacturers, in addition to employee safety, opening factories will require careful coordination involving checking and restarting machinery, coordinating suppliers, and logistics timing.
Returning to previous operational levels will not be easy, and recovery is likely to be volatile and uneven. Business continuity plans created to build operational effectiveness following natural disasters, power outages, and cyber incidents may not take into account everything needed to recover from a global pandemic.
For example, businesses will need to adopt measures for social distancing, including reducing numbers on site, which will add pressure on existing employees and processes. Providing protective supplies for all employees will also be a concern.
Understanding supply chain issues will be critical, including who has inventory — raw materials and/or parts — and is operational.
Organisations will need to consider a broad set of risk issues as they reopen, including:
COVID-19 will likely spur changes including further automation and revisions in supply chain and materials sourcing, such as finding components closer to home. Manufacturers that plan and act on such changes will position themselves for growth while protecting brand and reputation. The first step is to reopen closed facilities safely and efficiently.
Manufacturing and Automotive Industry Leader, UK & Ireland