Taking into account the complete shut-down of operations due to the COVID 19 pandemic and the possibility of restart of manufacturing post 20th April in light of Government directives, during the intervening period Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has used its years of rich knowledge, expertise and access to global best practices to devise a comprehensive ‘Restart Manual' as a guide for industries to follow post the lockdown withdrawal. As a proactive measure, with an intent to support the manufacturing sector, TKM management had put together a team of cross functional experts to go into minutest details of various operations and create a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) that would ensure the safest possible restart to manufacturing by securing the workers from any health hazards. This manual is in consonance with the broad Government guidelines that have been issued and will be used by TKM, its suppliers and has also been shared as a reference document with all Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) members. TKM also intends to share it with wider segment of Industry through industry association platforms like CII.
TKM's Restart Manual is an all-inclusive guide for reorganizing and safely resuming business operations to near normalcy after the lockdown is lifted. This initiative will aid the Government, stakeholders and the community at large by creating detailed reference document for the industries to safeguard and ensure the health, well-being and safety of all their employees thereby also enriching the lives of the communities. TKM has already shared the Restart Manual with not just Toyota suppliers but also with ACMA, other suppliers in the industry and is planning to share this manual with other industry players as well.
Sharing his thoughts on this one-of-a-kind initiative, Masakazu Yoshimura, Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, "Today, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the health and safety of people across the globe. We are witnessing demand, supply, market and liquidity shocks, decline in real GDP growth rates, and so many setbacks. It's our prime responsibility to ensure health and safety of employees, families and all our stakeholders. We need to safeguard business continuity and economic recovery as well by ensuring ‘Safety & health First' approach. In this perspective, this ‘Restart Manual' is prepared not only for our use but also for the benefit of government, industries and stakeholders. I would like to congratulate our TPS (Toyota Production System) experts who have worked hard to create this manual.
Post Covid-19, we will witness a new normal and change will be inevitable. We must adapt and remember that change is always for the better and can herald tremendous progress. We need to stop jobs that do not fit the needs, change procedures or the way we work and continue to navigate in these turbulent times. Let us work together as "One Team, One Goal" with greater speed and intensity."
Appreciating the Restart Manual, Deepak Jain, President, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) said, "At the outset of this initiative, we would like to thank the TKM management for bringing out a very valuable and pertinent ‘Restart Manual'. Needless to say that this manual is reflective of the very humane and caring culture at Toyota. The safety measures to be adopted at each function are indeed very well described and explained through appropriate graphics. We are confident that this manual would be of immense value to all ACMA members in ensuring that we have a safe, secure and sustainable restart post the lockdown. Further, we are also very grateful to Toyota for allowing us to use this manual as a reference guide for all ACMA members."
TKM has been studying and observing the evolving situation in the country and is determined to devise simple and practical solutions to arising problems in hopes to help the country and the industry recover from the inflictions of the COVID 19 pandemic.
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