Reduced hours policy stopped after shipment of components from China improves
JCB is ending short time working at its UK factories and reverting to a five-day working pattern.
The equipment manufacturer introduced the short time working patterns and cut production levels at its UK factories on February 17 in anticipation of component shortages from Chinese suppliers impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.
Around 4,000 JCB and agency shop floor employees have been working a 34-hour week for the past fortnight. From this week, JCB says all its factories are reverting to a basic working week of 39 hours.
JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald commented: “This is not a moment for celebration, but it is a step in the right direction. There has been some improvement in the shipment of components from China but new threats are emerging from our supply chain in other parts of the world, notably Italy and South Korea. We will continue to monitor the situation very closely on a daily basis and take any necessary measures to protect the business.”
