A testing and research site used by some of the biggest players in the global automotive sector is said to be “Covid-secure” and ready for business.
Management at HORIBA MIRA, based on a former airfield in countryside off the A5 near Hinckley, Leicestershire, are ramping up their support again for companies developing some of the world’s latest ground-breaking and environmentally efficient vehicles.
Managing director Declan Allen said they had been able to convert the test facilities to make them “Covid-compliant” within the space of three weeks.
The 850 acre facility, along with a site in Basildon, suspended most of its physical operations on April 13, but was able to welcome the first wave of furloughed employees back by May 4.
Around two-thirds of the company’s 600-strong team have been working from home, while a third of staff were furloughed.
Getting MIRA’s 40 specialised on-site facilities up and running again, including 60 miles of proving ground, was crucial to helping the automotive and defence sectors continue their work there.
To do that they have put in place new health and safety processes to prevent coronavirus transmission.
Steps taken include:
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· Temperature checks for everyone arriving on site
· A clear safe working policy
· Screens, barriers, one-way systems, plus restrictions on movement
· Staggered shifts
· Appropriate use of responsibly-sourced PPE
· Increased use of virtual tools to liaise with customers during testing
· 1,200 news signs around site
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· Robust cleaning and disinfection
· Increased hand sanitizer points
· Changes to communal areas
· Strict induction processes for employees and visitors
Mr Allen said he was proud to be in a position where staff who could not work from home can now return to work on site.
He said: “To go from suspending most operations to welcoming staff back to a safe and secure working environment within a matter of weeks has been a herculean cross-company task.
“The impact of the pandemic on our customers and our suppliers has been significant, and that in turn had a dramatic impact upon our company.
“We swiftly responded to this, as all companies have needed to, but we’ve used that time to ready ourselves for recovery and can now scale up our services in response to customer demand safely and effectively.
“This has only been possible because our great team pulled together to find a way – enabling us to support our customers and suppliers to get through this crisis together.
“We are confident the measures we’ve introduced well and truly meet government requirements and, in many cases, go beyond what is expected.
“From the outset of the crisis, we’ve kept in close communication with all our team members.
“By listening to and implementing ideas from across our diverse team, everyone has the confidence that we are doing the right thing for them, for our future, and for the company.
“HORIBA MIRA is an engineering consultancy and test organisation that the automotive industry has relied upon since 1946.
“Today we’re at the forefront of the next industrial revolution developing autonomous and new technology vehicles which will improve lives by making journey’s safer, cleaner and smarter.”
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He said the business had also been supporting the region’s NHS, care homes and hospices, using its 3D printers to create face shields for carers.
He said: “During this incredibly challenging time, like many other businesses across the region, we have tried to find ways to support not only the NHS but also the care and hospice sector.
“As we continue to move forward, we hope to continue to aid those impacted by coronavirus while supporting the Midlands and global automotive sector to get back on its feet.”