Swiss companies arm themselves against coronavirus
Monday, 27.01.2020
news-single-imgcaption" style="width:240px">ABB has a factory in Wuhan and employs around 100 people there. (Keystone)
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Swiss companies in China have taken steps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Travel to and from the Middle Kingdom was limited and employees made aware of health risks.
ABB has a factory in Wuhan, the center of the epidemic, and employs around 100 people there. In total, the company, active in electro-technology and robotics, employs 20,000 people in China. No infection has been seen yet among its employees, said a spokesperson. No effect on production is to be deplored.
The company suggests protective measures to its employees through mobile applications. Travel to Wuhan is prohibited, in accordance with the measures taken by the authorities to contain the epidemic.
Elevator manufacturer Schindler also has a production site in Wuhan. Employees are advised to avoid business travel to and from China.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and adapt our travel and security recommendations if necessary,” said a spokesperson. Schindler did not wish to indicate the number of employees in China, a key market. At the end of 2018, around 24,600 people worked for the company in Asia-Pacific.
Straumann employs ten people in Wuhan. “We remain alert to the situation,” said a spokesperson for the manufacturer of dental implants. A specific information channel has been set up.
Encourage telework
Novartis, for its part, encouraged its Chinese employees to work from home. The pharmaceutical group has not indicated the number of employees in the country.
Nestlé points out that most of the employees are still on vacation. The Chinese government has in fact extended the duration of New Year’s holidays. The food giant has banned “non-mandatory” travel in the country.
The company regularly informs its employees and implements the precautionary measures. According to the 2018 annual report, Nestlé has 32 factories in China but none in Wuhan.
According to the Sino-Swiss Chamber of Commerce, companies take the situation very seriously, without panicking. The “crisis” mode has not been engaged, according to the president of the organization, Felix Sutter. Due to the New Year holidays, no impact on business is felt. “We will have a sharper image around mid-February”. (Ps)
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