Why manufacturers should now plan their Covid exit strategy, and what to consider By Eric Stoop CEO of EASE, Inc and Murray Sittsamer, President of Luminous Group
T
he light at the end of the pandemic tunnel is coming into view for all businesses and sectors. And just like many industries, manufacturing now has the chance to take a considered approach towards its post-pandemic future, and evaluate the lessons learned since lockdown was announced in March 2020, to ensure it comes out the other side stronger. Manufacturers should now be turning their attention to developing a Covid-19 exit strategy to adapt to a new way of working in a post-pandemic world. If they’re not, they risk falling behind. There are different facets to this of course, but the major factors manufacturers must consider when planning their Covid exit strategy and returning to ‘normal’ are people, process and of course technology. These fundamental pillars should be a key focus for manufacturers re-aligning their strategies.
80 europeanbusinessmagazine.com
A greater focus on staff wellbeing and development The pandemic’s impact on the manufacturing sector has been huge, and had led to the key question being asked by leaders in the sector: How do we keep staff safe and supported? Putting in place processes and measures to ensure physical and mental health wellbeing will have to be a key strategy for manufacturers moving forward if they are to retain and attract the best talent. The manufacturing sector has, in the past, at times adopted a ‘leave your problems at the door when you come in’ kind of attitude, but now, greater HR support will be seen across the industry. In fact, in the US, some companies are even hiring external support, such as outside counsellors, to maintain good support levels for staff members. Communication will certainly improve between senior
leaders and plant floor workers moving forward, and staff members will expect it to, more importantly. Regular catch ups with line managers, messages of support and ‘checking in’ on workforces to ensure they are well will become the norm. Safety measures, such as cordoned places of work to physical distance, one-way systems, hand sanitising stations and others, will likely all remain in place and need to be incorporated into exit strategies. In addition to support, manufacturers also need to ensure they are developing staff with training and upskilling opportunities too. Flexible working will remain in the sector, and must be a major consideration for manufacturers, but it does create a possibility of skills gaps being present on the plant floor. If, for example, a particular staff member is the only person who knows how to carry out an audit, but they are working remotely,
