Ducati to resume motorcycle production
A gradual return to “normal” on the production line at Borgo Panigale starts with workshop staff today, followed by engine assembly workers, while motorcycle assembly will commence from Tuesday 28 April.
In compliance with measures to combat and contain the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace, Ducati temporarily suspended production at Borgo Panigale on Friday 13 March to reorganize production schedules. Shortly after, the decree came suspending all non-essential activities in the “hot zone” of the virus in northern Italy and despite being ready to go, production did not restart.
Despite Italy having one of the worst coronavirus death tolls globally, the gradual improvement in health conditions in the country saw the government announce on Sunday 26 April that companies deemed strategic to the national economy and “whose activity is mainly aimed at exports, and for which a prolongation of the suspension would risk losing our country additional market shares” were allowed to resume production.
While motorcycle production recommences today, Ducati says it will be under smart working conditions, with only those not in a position to carry out their work from home allowed to access the factory. That means staff in Ducati’s commercial, marketing, IT, personnel management, finance, purchasing and logistics areas will continue to work remotely.
Production has changed from a single eight-hour shift to two seven-hour shifts to minimize the number of people inside the plant at any given time and thus minimizing possible contact. Even the factory canteen has adapted, with only one seat at every four-seat table to minimize group contact.
Regardless of distancing, there is an absolute requirement to use masks inside the factory, in line with rules of conduct agreed between Ducati and the RSU (unified worker representation body) on 24 April and based on protocols use by VW Group at their Chinese factories.
"We are ready to go, we have worked hard over the past few weeks to minimize any risk," said Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO. "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. 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.
“The two-wheel market is highly seasonal, and the stop to production in March and April has already had negative effects on sales,” Domenicali added. “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. 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.”
The recommencement of production will see MY20 models in European dealerships soon, including the brand-new Streetfighter V4 that halted production a month after it started. Ducati adds that there are many orders for the Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour and Panigale V2, Multistrada 950 and Scrambler 1100 PRO on their books, too.
