Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Rolls-Royce suspends West site’s production
ROLLS-ROYCE has announced it is cutting all but essential activity at its UK aerospace sites, including its Bristol facility.
The company, which opened a huge new centre in Bristol that makes jet engines in January, says it will reduce production for one week from midnight last night.
Rolls-Royce says it has been implementing government guidelines at its sites – in particular, those relating to social distancing – adding the move would allow the business to “confirm the effectiveness” of the measures it has taken and “enhance” processes over a longer period. All of the firm’s staff will continue to be paid, Rolls-Royce has confirmed.
“Our priority since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak has been to ensure the wellbeing of all our employees,” the company said in a statement. This move will enable us to confirm the effectiveness of the measures taken to date and enhance our processes in order to sustain modified operations and activities over a longer period.
“This will allow us to focus on supporting customers and vital services, including air freight operations, during the Covid-19 pandemic. During this time, we will continue to maintain our critical capability that ensures airlines can continue to operate.”
Rolls-Royce says it will not be shutting its defence site in Bristol because the Government has designated the company as a “key supplier” for the UK military.
As a result all of the firm’s defence facilities in the UK will remain operational.
Rolls-Royce added: “We will continue to supply and support the engines that power military aircraft, naval vessels and other vehicles.”