The president of Bombardier Transportation for France and Benelux, Mr Laurent Bouyer, visited Bombardier’s plant in Bruges, Belgium, on April 15 as work resumed after almost a month since the shutdown.

Bombardier also restarted train production at Derby, Britain, and heavy maintenance at Ilford, London, from April 14, and partially resumed work at Crewe from April 15.

Following the two-week lockdown in Spain, the government allowed people in manufacturing, construction and some services to return to work from April 14, if strict safety guidelines are in place.

The status of Bombardier’s activities in Spain is:

  • the production facility at Trápaga, Vizcaya, reopened on April 14 with new safety measures
  • the fleet maintenance site in Getafe, Madrid, continues to provide essential services for Renfe
  • Bombardier also has service and maintenance staff at customers’ depots supporting fleet operation
  • basic maintenance is being provided for the Madrid Bajaras Airport automated peoplemover
  • Bombardier's two Madrid sites, San Sebastián de los Reyes and Alcobendas, remain temporarily closed, and
  • the company's white collar employees from all divisions continue to work from home to support business continuity.

Bombardier Spain has 835 direct employees, including 200 employees at its Trapaga site to manufacture propulsion equipment for rolling stock.  

Talgo restarted work at its Las Matas 2 factory near Madrid on April 13 and its Rivabellosa facility in northern Spain on April 14. The manufacturer is requiring all of its staff and contractors to possess face masks, the use of which is mandatory when working within two metres of another person.

CAF confirmed to IRJ that it plans to gradually resume work at its Spanish facilities from April 20, with the aim of having 100% activity within a week of reopening.

The company says it has drawn up a strict plan to comply with protocols and security measures, with the fundamental objective of preserving the health of its workers.

Stadler says it has resumed rail vehicle manufacturing at its factory in Valencia, Spain, which had been put on hold. The company says its other plants have largely been able to continue production through the pandemic.

"To protect our staff, we follow the guidance provided by the respective local authorities," Stadler told IRJ. "We have introduced various protective measures, including a time-staggered approach in certain areas of production to reduce the number of people who are present at the same time."

Alstom told IRJ it was seeing a different rate of resumption of work at its sites around the world, according to the state of the pandemic in each area, the conditions or guidelines set out by authorities, the type of work, and the measures necessary to ensure the protection of workers.

In Europe, where Alstom has a number of major sites, production has partially resumed in some countries such as Spain this week, or will do so in Poland and Germany in the next few days. Each site is adopting special adapted working conditions.

Italy, which has been hit particularly hard by the virus, is a notable exception with a resumption date yet to be set.

"In all places where industrial activities are progressively returning, Alstom ensures full compliance with protective measures defined by authorities, including the distance between individuals, systematic disinfection of workstations, the availability of sanitary products and protection equipment such as hydroalcoholic gels and masks," Alstom says. "In some locations, measures include organisational readjustments in the workshops and shift changes."

In France, each site has carried out an analysis of operations on a shift-by-shift basis, reviewed work organisation such as flows and schedules and the layout of common areas, and defined specific procedures for cleaning common areas and tools.

The combination of these actions has made it possible to gradually reopen industrial activities in recent days, although some employees continue to work from home.

Alstom is aiming to achieve a 50% recovery in France by April 20, before gradually ramping up by the end of April or the first few weeks of May.

Siemens says it has been able to keep most of its production and service facilities open through the outbreak, while implementing measures to protect its employees and its partners, which it will continue to do so.

“We’re doing everything we can to maintain critical infrastructure and operations at our production plants as well as our service to continue to support our customers and partners as far as possible,” the company told IRJ. “This is particularly important in areas in which, together with customers, we provide products and services for vital infrastructure. As we do this, the health and safety of our employees and our partners are always a top priority. And we are, of course, cooperating closely with the relevant public authorities, works councils and representatives of people with disabilities.”