Covid-19: Current situation, as of 27.3.2020

EuropeIn Italy the shut-down of many factories has been ordered. Due to our second source supplier strategy, we see no disruptions of our deliveries at this time. If the situation changes, we will inform you on this website. The same applies to the subsidiaries in India and South Africa.

Germany
All known precautionary measures recommended by the authorities are implemented at the Cologne igus headquarters. Since 13.03.2020 all employees, for whom this is possible, have been working preventively in the home office. You can still reach each employee as usual by telephone, e-mail or chat. We currently do not receive external visitors.
In production, staff density was reduced by changing shifts and all employees wear face masks in order to further minimise the risk of infection. We have also set up five additional, temporary canteens in order to implement the recommended distances and hygiene regulations there as well. In some cases, we feel a trend to bring forward orders or an order "for immediate".  We try everything to realise customer wishes accordingly. If necessary, we will inform you about what we can do.
The supply chains for our production in Cologne are intact, so there have been no delays so far. We are also able to ensure local supply nationwide thanks to our warehouses in China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, USA, Brazil, UK and Poland. The corresponding stocks are planned for 8 - 10 weeks.

Italy
Our factory in Italy is closed from 26.03.2020 by governmental shut-down. As all employees work in the home offices, you can reach them via all possible communication channels for urgent help, orders or technical issues. Orders are shipped directly from our Cologne factory and are allowed at this point. Only import and freight forwarding may be delayed.

UK
The Northampton facility is open as always, Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm, and anything in stock is shipped in 24 hours. Deliveries to customers continue as usual. The majority of employees work in the home office. All the igus sales team are available for a “virtual visit”. igus UK is currently not receiving any visitors.

All other countries in Europe
In most European countries, all or most of the employees work in the home office. You can reach all local colleagues via the usual communication channels. Orders ship directly from Cologne. Only import and freight forwarding may be delayed.

AsiaChina
The igus factory in China is running normally again. No employee at the Shanghai factory was infected. Some of the salesmen are allowed to travel again.

Malaysia
igus Malaysia is closed by official order until 13.4.2020. All local employees are in the home office and can be reached via the usual communication channels. Orders for essentially necessary productions, such as medical technology, are still permitted and can be placed via the central warehouse in Singapore or can also be delivered directly from Germany.

India
igus India is closed by official order from 24.3.2020. All local employees are in the home office and can be reached through the usual communication channels. Orders for essentially necessary productions, such as medical technology, are still permitted and can also be made by direct delivery from Germany.

Japan
In order to minimize infection, delayed commuting was introduced in Japan. In addition, part of the employees work in the home office to reduce the number of people in the office. Our salesmen are allowed to travel as usual. Delivery times have not been delayed so far. The Japanese authorities are currently considering imposing exit restrictions on the city of Tokyo. We will be able to ensure our accessibility via home offices. Deliveries will be made from our factory in Tochigi province and are not expected to be affected. Direct deliveries from Germany are possible at any time.

Korea
Almost all igus Korea employees work in the home office. Each employee can be reached as usual by telephone or e-mail. Personal consultation is also possible via online channels such as KakaoTalk and Skype video consultation.

All other countries in Asia
Precautionary and preventive measures were taken in all subsidiaries. We adhere closely to local regulations and decide on further measures on a daily basis to protect employees from infection and keep supply chains intact.

Africaigus South Africa will be closed for 21 days by official order from 26.3.2020. All local employees are in the home office and can be reached through the usual communication channels. Orders for essentially necessary productions, such as medical technology, are still permitted locally and can also be made by direct delivery from Germany.

North and South AmericaUSA
The majority of the employees in our Rhode Island subsidiary have been working in the home office since 13.3.20. All employees can be reached via the familiar communication channels. In production, the staff density was reduced by changing shifts in order to further minimize the risk of infection. There are no delays in shipments to our customers.

Brazil
At the igus subsidiary in Brazil, the majority of the employees work in the home office. All local colleagues can be reached via the familiar communication channels. Logistics has so far functioned without restrictions. In the blog you will find current information from our colleagues in Brazil.