Local factories still were teetering on the edge Thursday of whether or not to completely halt production to protect workers from the potential threat of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19.
With major automakers announcing shutdowns in the U.S., manufacturers such as Aisin, Valeo and Cummins are facing a decline in demand for the auto parts they supply.
Cummins, which is based in Columbus and has several manufacturing facilities, including the Seymour Engine Plant, plans to continue with production but is “focused on health and safety” in its facilities, said company spokesman Jon Mills.
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“We have significantly increased the cleaning and disinfection practices, including at each workstation, the break rooms and restrooms, etc.,” Mills said. “We are making sure there is ample distance between our co-workers and limiting gatherings. We have also made hand sanitizer and sanitizing supplies more readily available.”
Cummins employs more than 1,100 people at its Seymour plant.
Nippon Steel Pipe America Inc., formerly Seymour Tubing, also has no plans to shut down at this time, said human resources representative Lori Smith.
But the company is working to make it easier for ill workers to stay home without having to worry about not getting paid.
“Our normal attendance policy is being flexed to allow anyone with a fever, difficulty breathing or a persistent cough to stay home with no penalty,” she said.
The company also offers short-term disability benefits to all employees at no cost. It employs nearly 500 at its Eastside Industrial Park plant.
“Anyone out of work due to illness or injury for eight or more days can draw 60% of their base pay for up to 26 weeks or until they are able to return to work,” she said.
Jim Plump, executive director of Jackson County Industrial Development Corp., said companies continue to discuss the issue and are making plans. Most local industries did not immediately respond to media requests for comments.
“We are monitoring the ever-changing situation through a series of conference calls,” Plump said.
On the flip side, businesses like Walmart Distribution Center, Ruler Foods Warehouse, formerly the JayC Food Warehouse, Pet Supplies Plus Distribution and Rose Acre Farms are needed now more than ever to continue to supply items to retailers. Many of those places are advertising they have immediate job openings to fill.
Tammy Barker, human resources director at Pet Supplies Plus Distribution in Seymour, said there are no plans to shut down.
“Our business is considered essential because we offer consumables for pets,” she said.
As for paying employees who have to miss work because of illness, Barker said currently, those employees are using paid time off. The company is working with its short-term disability provider, however, in an effort to be more lenient with its policy and offer more choices to workers so they can still receive some pay if they must be off work for an extended period of time.
PSP employs nearly 300 workers at its Seymour distribution center.
The company also is being more lenient on its attendance policy to encourage those who are sick to stay home.
“I am looking at each person on a case-by-case basis,” Barker said.
Starting Monday, all employees reporting for work were being scanned with noncontact thermometers. Those who have a fever will be sent home, Barker said.
Also, the company implemented social distancing this week, staggering breaks and lunch times so there are no more than 25 to 30 people in an area at a time, she added.
Employees have access to an information station to keep them updated on the situation, and more signage instructing workers to wash their hands has been placed throughout the facility, she added.
Barker said cleaning efforts in the building have increased, including using employees on light-duty status as a separate cleaning crew.
“We have them cleaning those high-touch areas that are often overlooked from normal cleaning procedures,” she said.