The recent country shutdown in Malaysia affected the automotive industry very badly as factories and showrooms had to be closed. With no car sales, stockyards are piling up and showrooms need to pay overheads. Now with the removal of a lockdown as long as proper guidelines are in place, car manufacturing is moving ahead slowly step by step just like with the rest of the world.
Recently, car factories in Europe started opening up and restarting operations even though sales are just trickling in as the knock on effect will come in a few months as consumer confidence returns and buyers find their way to car showrooms to get a feel of shint new automotive metal.
PRESS RELEASE: Assembly Services Sdn Bhd (ASSB), UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd’s subsidiary involved in manufacturing Toyota vehicles, has resumed its assembly operations. This follows approval given by the Selangor State Government in relation to the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) that was announced on 4 May 2020.
ASSB suspended all operations from 18 March 2020 when the Movement Control Order (MCO) was activated nationwide as a measure to break the transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus and will re-commence its operations on 11 May 2020 onwards.
“We are grateful to the Selangor State Government for its decision to implement the CMCO with customised details and understand that it is in the best interest of the state and people,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor. “With the resumption of operations, we hope to help in boosting the economy and add momentum to the automotive industry and business moving forward.”
As with all companies allowed to resume their operations at full capacity, there are strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which must be followed. ASSB will fully adhere to these SOPs for the protection and health of its approximate 2000 employees working at its facilities.
The SOPs include establishing distances of 1 metre or more between workers; regular temperature checks; provision and use of hand sanitizers and face masks; and sanitization of various areas around the plant three times daily. Where necessary, working hours and work flows are adjusted to create a safe environment.
“Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is also very serious about providing safe and healthy conditions for all employees. As a member of the global Toyota family, ASSB can therefore draw on healthcare advice and best practices from TMC regarding additional measures that can be taken here in Selangor,” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.
