Engineering giant Perkins to suspend its Peterborough operations due to coronavirus impact

The engine maker, which has about 2,500 staff at its manufacturing centre in Eastern Industry, is to temporarily suspend its production for two weeks,

It says it hourly production employees and its support staff will be required to take annual leave.

The suspension will begin on Thursday and with operations planned to resume on April 20.

A company spokeswoman said: "We will be temporarily suspending our operations at our Peterborough facility due to business conditions starting on April 2.

"Hourly production employees and support staff directly related to production will be required to take annual leave for the duration of the shutdown.

Employees that can work from home must continue to do so. A small number of essential activities on site will continue to operate at this time.

She added: "Our employees’ safety, health and well-being remain a top priority."

Perkins, which was established in Peterborough 85 years ago and is now part of international construction machinery and equipment company, Caterpillar, has the capacity to manufacture up to 420,000 engines a year in its 125,000 square metre factory.

Perkins is the latest engineering company to announce production changes in the face of the Covid-19 health scare.

Last week, Stainless Metalcraft, of Chatteries, announced it was furloughing 34 staff, as it refocused its operations.

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