Amidst lockdown, few companies have started production and, importantly, are taking care of all rules including the safety of their workers and staff.
Vardhman Group, one of the most respected vertical integrated textile companies of India, has also resumed its manufacturing operations across all its manufacturing locations in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, as the Government grants permission to do so with a limited workforce.
The spinning units of the Group are currently operating at about 40-45 per cent of the production capacity.
About a week back, fabric manufacturing activities also started on a small scale. It resumed yarn production in the second week of April while making sure that the guidelines prescribed by the State Governments and the Ministries of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs are adhered to in letter and spirit.
Vardhman’s strategy has been to devise a plan for restarting the manufacturing operations without risking the lives of its employees.
SP Oswal, industry veteran and CMD of the Group, said “It is crucial to adapt to the present-day need while the Government is working towards restoring the supply chain. Starting the production with new stringent guidelines from the Ministry of Home Affairs is a grass-root step, which will equip us to provide a safe working environment to our employees and prepare for the requisites of full-scale production in the near future. We have received permissions to operate while abiding by the Government’s directives and look forward to bearing our responsibility as a corporate citizen.”
A special officer is assigned for every shift at each of the manufacturing locations that are responsible to ensure compliance of all the protective and safety guidelines and would report anomaly of any kind at the end of each shift.
It is also pertinent to mention here that one of the positives that helped Vardhman in the early resumption of manufacturing operations has been its policy since inception to build residential colonies and hostels for its workforce along with the manufacturing establishments. The deployment of off-campus workmen stands restricted, in view of the restrictions on their movement during the lockdown.
The Group has been taking extra care and monitoring the health of each and every employee staying in the residential colonies and hostels besides ensuring that they don’t come into contact with outsiders.
Comprehensive protocols have been put in place by the Group to ensure that there is full compliance of the safety and social distancing norms. The wearing of masks is mandatory for everyone, the body temperature of every individual is monitored twice a day and anyone showing signs of sickness is prohibited from entering the manufacturing facility. The in-house dispensaries at all the locations are well-equipped with medical aid and staff, besides the availability of dedicated ambulances.
Everyone entering or exiting the facilities are required to wash/sanitise their hands and surfaces are being disinfected on regular intervals to maintain good hygiene. The punching of attendance no longer requires finger impressions. Demarcations have also been made at all messes and canteens to maintain social distance while the health of cooking staff is inspected on a daily basis and use of PPE is mandatory for them as well.
Amidst the ongoing crisis, Vardhman Group took steps not only to ensure the safety of its employees but also to support the community, like extending liberal financial support to the Union Government and also the State Governments of Punjab, Himachal and Madhya Pradesh besides distributing PPEs and masks to local Govt. hospitals which are manufactured at the company’s garment unit. The company has responsibly worked along with the administration to fight and win the battle against COVID-19.
