Moffett back after lockdown closures

THE first signs of major manufacturing returning to the Dundalk area emerged as MOFFETT, one of Dundalk’s largest manufacturers, confirmed it has reopened its facility again after closing most of the production.

Also known as Cargotec Engineering Ireland Ltd, MOFFETT produces the world’s most popular truck mounted forklifts sold under the same brand. It was invented here in Ireland, and the MOFFETT name has become synonymous with truck mounted forklifts in many parts of the world.

The truck mounted forklift is an essential part of the logistics chain and therefore an important business but was closed for the health and wellbeing of the manufacturing staff, and to enable Government regulations and requirements on our factory to be implemented in full.

‘Employee safety is MOFFETT’s number one priority. Therefore, we would not open for manufacturing again until we had made necessary changes to comply with social distancing,’ says Rogier van der Linde, Senior Vice President, Truck Mounted Forklifts.

MOFFETT have worked with their employees, unions and suppliers to find a safe workable solution to get back up and running with limited production, in line with Irish Government protocol and requirements. The excellent collaboration ensured that all safety measures were implemented and adhered in the factory.

He added that changes included modifications to shop floor layout, shift patterns and sourcing of personal protective equipment (PPE). All employees have also received return to work induction training as part of the Government protocols, this also includes each employee entering our premises going through a temperature scanner.

‘ The Health and Safety team continuously monitor all measures that have been put in place and daily meetings are held to review. We are very pleased with the compliance of all on site and the willingness of every employee to make sure all remain safe as possible,’ says Anne Sheridan, H&S Manager, Cargotec Ireland

MOFFETT have also appointed a ‘ lead worker representative’ who, together with the COVID-19 Response Management Team, will be responsible for ensuring safety measures

Work has recommenced at the Moffett plant.

A worker at the Moffett plant wearing a face mask as part of the PPE equipment employees are now wearing as part of their return to work protocol.