Bosch stated that closed loop mode introduces a set of working conditions where the employees are kept away from the outside world and tested for Covid regularly to resume production activities.
Auto parts giant Bosch informs that four of its plants in China are operating under closed-loop mode as the country adheres to strict Covid curbs in order to limit the virus transmission. Organization sites in Jinan, Chongqing, and Chengdu along with the industrial technologies plant in Beijing have entered the closed-loop system, reports Bloomberg. The company had made plans for closed-loop operations if required and it’s an extensive plan made with the aim of steadying the operations in the organization including the supply chain.
What is Closed Loop Mode
Closed-loop systems were first implemented during the Beijing winter Olympics as a means to separate the supporting staff and athletes participating from the rest of the population. This was done as a remedial measure to keep the economy running even if Covid restrictions limited the production capability of the nation.
China’s Covid curbs have created massive unrest as the nation tries to control the violent protests. Many people were employed at the beginning of the year but were proven harder to maintain in recent weeks over the increasing dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the pandemic. Bosch stated that closed loop mode introduces a set of working conditions where the employees are kept away from the outside world and tested for Covid regularly to resume production activities.
Several car makers are opting to wind down their plants in China due to the strict Covid curbs, making it difficult for the manufacturers as it is becoming increasingly difficult to access the required components and saw that the closed-loop system introduced was not sufficient to boost production during these times. Volkswagen recently halted its production at a joint venture plant it has with China FAW Group Co, citing a component shortage.
The manufacturing firm hasn’t revealed when the firm will continue its operations, according to Bloomberg reports. The instability of Covid restrictions as the cases touch record highs daily, the manufacturing companies like Volkswagen are meeting shortages in supply. Some carmakers are now instead opting to wind up their plants in China as Covid restrictions make it almost impossible to secure some components, considering closed-loop systems unsustainable.
Honda also suspended its operations in Wuhan but resumed its operations on Wednesday. The lack of stable and secure component supply makes it difficult for organizations to take important production plans let alone move to closed-loop systems that would keep plants running. Chinese electric-car company Xpeng Inc. faces a similar challenge along with Li Auto Inc. has delayed the delivery of two models because of component shortages, the Beijing-based carmaker said in a statement Monday.
In order to begin the closed loop mode, Bosch had to involve and make efforts in closing up workforce management, map out production schedules, and explore into the logistics planning and supply chain, along with organizing food supply, health support, and accommodation, for the staff, it said. Employees were only asked to enter the bubble on a voluntary basis. Bosch also said the plants that are currently in closed-loop mode are smaller, with factory line workforces that range from around 50 to 300 people.
Not all companies work efficiently under closed-loop mode. Chinese factory complex of Apple Inc.’s main global production partner recently seeded unrest that saw a mass evacuation of employees and a vicious conflict with security guards.