Starting this week, the Ducati factory in Borgo Panigale will once again rev to life, as the Italian brand returns to production work in Bologna, Italy.
While the production lines will continue, Ducati will not be continuing with business as usual. This is because the Italian motorcycle maker will only be recalling the minimal number of employees to restart the production and research operations.
Working together with the union (RSU), Ducati has created a new safety protocol, which includes everyone wearing masks, regardless of distancing.
“It is absolutely essential to pay close attention to strict compliance with safety procedures: the virus has not disappeared,” said Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali. “The work done jointly with the Emilia-Romagna Region has been important.”
“It will be an extremely difficult year, but starting up again is still a beginning; we have a lot of orders for the Streetfighter V4, for the Multistrada GT, and for the Panigale V2. The motorbike is a perfect vehicle for ‘phase two’: no parking problems and distancing guaranteed; safety and fun at the same time.”
Ducati suspended its production operations on March 13, and with Monday’s restart, the factory has been closed a total of 46 days. But with the situation in Italy starting to improve, the country is starting to re-open its business, though in phases and with many restrictions.
As such, this is a first phase of return to a life closer to normal. Monday saw the return of only workers who operate the production lines. This included workshop staff and engine assembly workers. Starting today (Tuesday), the motorcycle assembly workers will be on the line.
Additionally, the Ducati factory will move from a single eight-hour shift to two seven-hour shifts, in order to minimize the number of people in the factor at any given time, and to make up for the reduced workforce numbers.
Workers who can remote distance, will continue to do so. This includes all of those employed in the commercial, marketing, IT, personnel management, finance, purchasing, and logistics areas.
“We are ready to go, we have worked hard over the past few weeks to minimize any risk,” added Domenicali. “Despite this we will have to be extremely cautious and rigorous. The virus is still in circulation and we must therefore be careful to combat any possible form of transmission.”
“This is the reason why all the people present in the factory will wear masks, we must protect the population from the presence of asymptomatic positives who, although in a very small percentage, are present today and will not be identified by the mandatory temperature test.”
“Serological tests can help, but they represent only a snapshot; they should be repeated every day before entry, and this is obviously extremely difficult. This is why masks and distancing are so important. We will obviously adapt the protocols to the evolution of the health situation and to the indications given by the State and the Emilia-Romagna Region.”
“We have been in constant touch with President Bonaccini, whom I thank for the support, with councillor Colla and with commissioner Venturi to prepare us better for this eventuality. The two-wheel market is highly seasonal, and the stop to production in March and April has already had negative effects on sales.”
“The Chinese market is already booming, sales in Korea and Japan are doing well. In Germany, dealers have been open for a week and we already have a major shortage of product. I really believe that this restart can allow us to reduce at least in part the negative effects of the lockdown that we were forced to respect, unfortunately at the worst time.”
“We have a splendid order book: the brand-new Streetfighter V4 just launched has obtained unanimous approval from the specialized press and is the undisputed queen of the category. Unfortunately, production was halted just one month after the start. Then there are also many orders for the Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour and for the Panigale V2. We also have the empty warehouses of the Multistrada 950 and Ducati Scrambler 1100 PRO.”
“I am convinced that in this ‘phase two’, the bike will prove to be an extraordinary means of combining fun, passion and the possibility of having a vehicle with which to spend the weekend but also to move around quickly and safely in the city, without any problems of parking or social distancing. I want to thank all Ducati employees who have patiently and collaboratively managed this very anomalous phase and are supporting us in the management of the restart.”
Source: Ducati
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