An Essential Supplier to Automotive Industry Among First to Be ‘COVID-Secure’
HORIBA MIRA, famous for helping to develop some of the world’s most iconic and ground-breaking vehicles, fully converted its cutting-edge engineering and test facilities into ‘COVID-Secure’ operations in just three weeks – paving the way for the automotive revolution to resume in the UK.
On 13 April the company suspended most physical operations at its expansive 850-acre site in Nuneaton and a further facility in Basildon, but safely welcomed the first wave of furloughed employees back to both sites by 4 May, well ahead of the UK government guidelines issued this week.
Around two-thirds of the company’s 600-strong team have been working from home using remote technology, but the 40 specialised on-site facilities, including its 100km proving ground, are essential to continue the pioneering work the automotive and defence sectors need worldwide.
After making the difficult decision to furlough a third of employees while physical operations were put on hold, the firm revealed the safe and speedy return to physical operations has only been possible due to the tremendous effort, collaboration and teamwork across the business to rapidly implement robust health and safety processes to prevent coronavirus transmission.
“To go from suspending most operations to welcoming staff back to a safe and secure working environment within a matter of weeks has been a herculean cross-company task. The impact of the pandemic on our customers and our suppliers has been significant, and that in turn had a dramatic impact upon our company. We swiftly responded to this, as all companies have needed to, but we’ve used that time to ready ourselves for recovery and can now scale up our services in response to customer demand safely and effectively.
“This has only been possible because our great team pulled together to find a way – enabling us to support our customers and suppliers to get through this crisis together.
A week after we welcomed back the first wave of staff, we are confident the measures we’ve introduced well and truly meet government requirements and, in many cases, go beyond what is expected.
“From the outset of the crisis, we’ve kept in close communication with all our team members. By listening to and implementing ideas from across our diverse team, everyone has the confidence that we are doing the right thing for them, for our future, and for the company.
“HORIBA MIRA is an engineering consultancy and test organisation that the automotive industry has relied upon since 1946. Today we’re at the forefront of the next industrial revolution developing autonomous and new technology vehicles which will improve lives by making journey’s safer, cleaner and smarter.”
In addition, HORIBA MIRA is proud to have supported the region’s NHS, care homes and hospices in recent months – for example using its 3D printers to create face shields for carers across the Midlands region.
Declan adds: “During this incredibly challenging time, like many other businesses across the region, we have tried to find ways to support not only the NHS but also the care and hospice sector. As we continue to move forward, we hope to continue to aid those impacted by coronavirus while supporting the Midlands and global automotive sector to get back on its feet.”
