Suzhou (PRC) - E-mobility component and complete drive system manufacturer, Bafang, has announced the resumption of operations at its Suzhou headquarters after Jiangsu Provincial Government relaxed preventative controls to contain the COVID-19 epidemic.
Following 31 days at first-level alert due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, Jiangsu Provincial Government adjusted the emergency response level to second-level from midnight on February 24th, and many cities in the province, including Bafang's home-town of Suzhou, reduced the levels of prevention and control. With strong support and encouragement from the government to enterprises to resume production, Bafang took measures to fully restore its supply chain and recommence full production capacity to meet customer requirements.
During the shutdown, Bafang middle and senior managers had worked hard to resume work as soon as possible after the Spring Break, establishing an epidemic prevention leadership group, led by the General Manager, to make temporary emergency management arrangements, to allow remote working for many staff from February 12th.
In a press release, the company noted that its business team ensured timely communication with customers, prioritizing urgent orders, and set up 60 R&D personnel to work remotely from home.
Fluctuations in the supply chain system were seen due to the pressure of the epidemic. Bafang ensured regular communication with suppliers; the epidemic management team worked with the suppliers to ensure health and safety, while the quality management team strengthened connections with the suppliers' quality and technical teams. These measures kick-started the production-recovery process of five key suppliers, to ensure ongoing supply-chain reliability and quality.
During the shutdown, Bafang learned that medical teams from the Suzhou City Center for Disease Control and Prevention sent to help efforts in Hubei province were in short supply of essential protective equipment, and immediately mobilized all contacts and resources to organize the purchase and delivery of 1.153 sets of professional protective suits, suitable for use by medical personnel in laboratories and infectious disease wards.
This delivery, on February 24th, followed a first donation in early February of protective items including masks, suits and goggles, to areas in Hunan Province, a neighboring province to Hubei, where many citizens from Hubei Province had been stranded, unable to travel home due to strict transportation restrictions.
At Bafang, the entire company and personnel are hopeful and confident that the epidemic will very soon be effectively controlled, and that emergency measures will be lifted.
