Truckmakers in Victorian Covid-safe assurances

Iveco and Isuzu move to outline operational adjustments

 

More truckmakers have emerged with insight on how they are adapting to Melbourne’s stage four Covid-19 constraints.

While not impacted by lockdown closures, industry has had to take measures to adhere to regulatory frameworks around maintaining Covid-safe operations.

A week after Kenworth and DAF parent Paccar told ATN its Bayswater plant in Melbourne was functioning according to stringent plans set out at the height of the first wave, Iveco, whose Dandenong plant is also within the impacted metropolitan Melbourne zone, outlined its tightened measures, which include:

  • Our manufacturing factory in Dandenong, VIC, has a key role to play in supporting businesses, and remains operational
  • All Melbourne-based IVECO business operations continue to support our network and our customers on a remote basis
  • Melbourne-based dealerships will continue operations while adhering to State Government directives:
    – Service departments remain open and available to attend to your servicing needs
    – Parts purchases will generally be conducted via phone with “click and collect”, but please contact your local Dealer to confirm
    – Sales divisions will adopt remote operating practices
    – Remaining Victorian IVECO dealerships, outside of the stage four restriction zone, will continue to operate under stage 3 restrictions.
    – All IVECO business operations outside of Victoria, continue to support our network and our customers in person and remotely.

“We are committed to the health and safety of our employees while delivering business continuity for all our dealerships and our customers,” a company social media post mentions.

It follows Paccar’s own continuity assurances last week.

“Fortunately, Heavy Truck Manufacturing is specifically listed on the government’s list of businesses open for on-site work with a Covid-19 plan in place, which we have had in place since April,” a Paccar spokesperson told ATN last week.

“Our Covid-19 plan keeps workers distanced while they manufacture our trucks and has all the safety and hygiene practices included.

“For office staff, we are all working from home.”


How truckmaking and T&L largely escaped Covid lockdowns, here


Similarly, Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) issues a guarantee on behalf of its its maintenance and dealerships, acknowledging “the Victorian Government’s recent decision to declare a stage four restriction for metro Melbourne of all non-essential personal and business activity to aid in combating the spread of the COVID-19 virus”.

Its operations adjust as follows:

  • All Melbourne-based operations including sales, service, parts and IAL head office business support services will continue operations via remote work practices, previously introduced in March 2020.
  • The parts warehouse and distribution centre will remain operational onsite, ensuring compliance with the specified Victorian Government COVID Safe practices. Parts stock availability remains sufficient to support essential dealer and customer operations.
  • The Isuzu Power Solutions department will limit production of new units, with onsite production to continue only for Emergency or Essential Service customer support.

IAL notes it is working closely with its Victorian-based suppliers to similarly ensure uninterrupted business operations.

Further, its Victorian metropolitan Isuzu Trucks dealers, including the Melbourne-based Westar and Patterson Cheney sites will remain open with revised operations as follows:

  • All service departments will remain open for all customer truck servicing.
  • Parts purchases will be conducted via phone with click and collect/ delivery services.
  • Truck sales will operate remotely in line with Government restrictions. Please Contact Melbourne based dealers directly for further information.

“All remaining Victorian Isuzu Trucks dealer locations outside the stage four restriction zone will continue to operate during the lockdown period under stage 3 restrictions,” IAL continues.

“We will be providing ongoing updates and will keep our customers and suppliers fully informed of the latest status and any impacts.

“However, the health and safety of the Isuzu and broader community always remains our top priority.”

 

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