Peterborough engine maker Perkins to restart production after three weeks closure

Engineering giant Perkins has announced it is to restart production at its Peterborough factory.
Perkins Engines.
 ENGEMN00120120213164508Perkins Engines.
 ENGEMN00120120213164508
Perkins Engines. ENGEMN00120120213164508

Engine maker Perkins, of Eastern Industry, where it employs 2,500 staff, began a three week closure on April 2.

Now it has informed its staff that production will resume on Monday as planned.

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It has also moved to reassure staff that safety precautions have been taken to help protect them from the risk of contracting coronavirus.

The company had originally planned for a two week closure but extended it by a week following a wave of protests from some staff and Peterborough MP Paul Bristow.

Mr Bristow had called upon the company to address the worries of employees who been told they would have to take annual leave during the shutdown.

He said many were worried that it would effectively force them to take unpaid leave in order to have their regular two week summer break.

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A spokeswoman for Perkins said today (Wednesday): “Following the previous announcement of the temporary suspension of operations at the Perkins Peterborough facility from April 2 to April 24, we have confirmed to production employees that operations will resume from Monday April 27 with necessary safety precautions in place.

“These include implementing social distancing practises wherever possible, use of appropriate personal protective equipment across all areas of the facility and increased frequency of cleaning and disinfecting of the facility.

“To minimise the number of people on-site, and in line with current government guidance, employees that can work from home will continue to do so.

She added: “The UK government has identified the manufacturing industry as a critical part of the economy and has made it clear that there is no restriction on manufacturing continuing under the current rules.

“We are proud to serve customers in a number of industries, including those working to support critical infrastructure including prime and stand by power for hospitals, food stores and data centres.”

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