- Futaba Manufacturing UK Managing Director Kevin Schofield speaks exclusively to Burnley.co.uk
- Says 75% of its around 250 staff will return this week
- Senior team took a 20% pay cut despite working long hours during lockdown to ensure a safe return to business for staff
Burnley-based Futaba Manufacturing UK has said 75 per cent of its staff should return to its Liverpool Road site this week (wc 25 May 2020), following a modest re-opening last week to launch its start-up plan.
The update came from Managing Director Kevin Schofield, who told Burnley.co.uk that full production should resume on Friday. By the end of the week, all staff will have had a safety induction to ensure social distancing and other measures relating to the COVID-19 situation can be adhered to.
“We have been totally focused on making our site safe for our employees. Our senior team has been working hard over the lockdown period to ensure this can happen and like the rest of employees, took a 20 per cent pay cut to help support the business during this time,” Mr Schofield explained.
And in positive news for the town, he added that he does not expect any redundancies at the company as a result of COVID-19. Whilst he cannot give a definite date, at some point over summer, all staff could be back on site should car sales recover well.
“We’ve text staff three times a week to let them know the latest situation and provided full updates on our website. No one can estimate how the economy will play out, car sales in particular are difficult to read. However, car sales could indeed be one of the first sectors to bounce back and we are keen to see what incentives the government offers,” Mr Schofield said.
One thing has been clear during this crisis – the businesses and community in Burnley have pulled together to support one another. Futaba itself has donated £100 a week to Burnley FC in the Community to go towards the food bank. It also donated PPE to Pendleside Hospice.
“It really has brought everyone together, the response of our town has been really good,” he added.
Congratulations to Futaba for the progress being made this week, along with all our Burnley businesses and bondholders who have proven to be innovative and resilient during this period