Honda of America Manufacturing has announced it plans to suspend operations at a dozen manufacturing plants across four states, Canada and Mexico.
Effective Monday, March 23, the automaker will cease production for six working days through Tuesday, March 31. Associates will still be paid during the closure, the company announced.
The closure affects each of the local Honda facilities, including Marysville and East Liberty auto plants, as well as the transmission manufacturing plant in Russells Point and the engine plant in Anna.
Though related to the coronavirus outbreak, suspension of production at its facilities is not explicitly to curb the spread of the illness, but also in response to an, “anticipated decline in market demand related to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Honda officials said in a press release.
Still, the company plans to, “utilize this time to continue deep cleaning of its production facilities and common areas to further protect associates upon their return to the plants.”
Approximately, 27,600 associates are affected by the suspension of operations. Some 40,000 fewer vehicles will be produced during the closure.
The production adjustment also allows associates to help prepare their families for school and business closures and to effectively practice social distancing during the pandemic.
“This will enable working parents to determine how best to mansage the needs of children staying home from school and other required lifestyle adjustments,” the company said.
Previous story March 17, 2020, 11:00 p.m.
Honda weathering COVID-19 with special precautions
Production facilities remain open, associate needs addressed during pandemic
As businesses around the state have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 emergency and putting a variety of safety plans in place, Logan County’s largest employer — Honda of America — is no exception, with company officials stating Tuesday evening that the situation is being closely watched “hour by hour.”
All of the local Honda of America Mfg. facilities remain open, including the Marysville Auto Plant, East Liberty Auto Plant, Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville and Honda Transmission in Russells Point. Officials said the company has not yet experienced any known instance of an associate affected with the COVID-19 virus.
“Honda has been manufacturing products in the U.S. for 40 years and we have robust business continuity plans in place to protect our team members, mitigate disruptions and meet customer demands,” representatives said in a press release.
“We continue to actively monitor the situation in each area where Honda has facilities and will comply with all local, state and federal government requirements. We also are carefully monitoring market conditions in this rapidly evolving environment but there has been no significant impact to our production plants at this time.”
Also keeping associate needs at the forefront, company officials said if associates or their families are impacted by COVID-19, a temporary paid personal leave of absence option in place for them to use. With schools around the state closed for at least the next three weeks, this includes an option to use personal paid leave to ensure childcare for children under 12 or dependents with special needs.
In addition, social distancing practices are in place at Honda’s facilities, such as staggering lunches, and associates are being afforded the opportunity to work remotely when possible.
“Our associates are important to us. They make Honda the company our customers love and we are taking steps to secure their health and safety,” representatives said.
“From the onset of this challenging situation, our primary focus is protecting members of the Honda team, our contractors, our suppliers and our customers. We have done so by closely observing the guidance and direction provided by local, state and national government officials, as well as the top health organizations.”
Maintaining a clean and safe work environment is an ongoing priority for the company, but in light of the current environment, more frequent sanitization efforts have been implemented at each of the facilities.
Also, following current world and U.S. health and travel guidelines, Honda has instituted screening measures at its facilities for all visitors to ensure the safety of associates, representatives related.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 prevention tips are being proactively promoted and associates are being asked to evaluate their health on an ongoing basis.
Due to the fast-changing nature of this situation, updates on our business impacts and actions on www.hondanews.com.