Bentley Motors will start a phased return to producing ultra-luxurious cars at its storied headquarters in Crewe, England, on May 11 following weeks of suspension that began on March 20 as a reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. Full manufacturing operations is scheduled to begin on May 18.
For the restart, Bentley is introducing a set of around 250 comprehensive and wide-ranging new hygiene and social distancing measures under an employee program called “Come Back Stronger.” The plan marks the biggest change to daily working life in the company’s 100-year history.
Measures comprising the program focus on seven key areas—prior to leaving home, travel, entry, preparing for work, work stations, breaks, and exiting the site—and are designed to protect staff at the factory. The Crewe facility employs over 4,000 people and is where every Bentley is hand-built.
Some of the changes in the way Bentley will conduct its operations include redesigning the manufacturing facility to allow for a two-meter distance between workers; one-way movement paths and traffic flows; compulsory wearing of face masks and other personal protection equipment in all factory and office areas; available work-from-home arrangement; regular health temperature checks for staff; an enhanced cleaning routine; and a clear guidance to the workforce on limiting the risk of infection on areas such as meeting governance, site access and travel.
Controlling the population density on site at any one time will be enforced, with all entry and exit points reconfigured to disperse the volume of people. Catering facilities will have limit capacities and allocated distanced seating while office-based staff will work according to a newly introduced shift-pattern. Extra defenses have also been put in place, such as plastic separation screens in office areas.
A return-to-work guide, which covers all new hygiene and social distancing measures, is now being sent to the staff and is available to review on the Bentley Employee News app, where an airline-style instructional video outlines the key changes to working patterns.
“The time is now right for Bentley to begin a gradual and controlled return to production, while ensuring our sites are the safest place any of us can be. Everybody will be able to play their part to ensure we can continue Bentley’s extraordinary journey into the future of luxury, sustainable mobility,” said Bentley Motors Chairman and CEO Adrian Hallmark.
During its production shutdown, Bentley provided aid to numerous crisis efforts and the local community—all of which to continue during the restart of operations. The company is 3D-printing over 30,000 face shields and supplying these to the Cheshire care sector while also donating personal protective equipment and extending its Bentley “Meals on 22-inch Wheels” service that delivers essential items to the local community.
