Source: News and Tribune post
WABASH VALLEY, Ind. – Automotive supply manufacturers, like ADVICS Manufacturing, in the Wabash Valley are halting production starting this week on the heels of automakers closing plants across Indiana and the nation to help suppress the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Workers for ADVICS, a brake system supplier, were notified the plant in the Vigo County Industrial Park will close for two weeks. The closure began March 22 and extends until April 6. The plant employs more than 530 workers.
In a note to employees, the company will pay workers their regularly scheduled hours for the first week of the shutdown. For the second week, employees can choose “vacation, salary allowable-no point or flex hours, or choose unpaid time off for the second week of shutdown,” the notice states.
Thyssenkrupp Automotive Technology, a maker of automotive steering columns in the Vigo County Industrial Park, issued a statement Monday evening saying it “will stop operations in Vigo County effective Wednesday.
“We are monitoring closely government actions and will continue to follow their recommendations. In addition, thyssenkrupp Automotive Technology is working closely with its employees, customers and business partners to keep them informed throughout this closure.”
Across the state line in Marshall, Illinois, ZF TRW is closed until April 7, according to a notice of layoff sent to employees on March 20. Employees were laid off March 21. The company stated that “under present circumstances, company policies contain no provision for transfer, bumping or reassigment for personnel.”
Worker healthcare coverage will continue until the end of March plus up to three additional months at which time an employee would be eligible for COBRA insurance. “Any employee premiums missed during the initial three months will be deducted from your paychecks upon your return to work,” the notice states.
In a corporate news release, the company stated it is suspending many operations in Europe and North America following announcements by truck and car manufacturers.
“Wherever possible we continue to uphold our end of the supply chain to support operations that are still running or have resumed production. We are also preparing to fully support our customers for when the situation calms down and production ramps up,” said CEO Wolf-Henning Scheider of ZF Friedrichshafen AG.
The entire post can be read by clicking HERE.
