Looking after our staff: Hobby halts production in Fockbek

Nobody at the Hobby caravan factory has yet tested positive for COVID-19, and the north German manufacturer has already taken many precautionary measures. Some administrators are working from home, and other departments have been dispersed. “Looking after the health of our over 1,000 staff members is our top priority. That’s why we’re also rigorously implementing the official rules within our company,” says Hobby Managing Director Bernd Löher.

Production has been halted with immediate effect since Sunday evening, 22 March 2020, and staff members have been asked to stay at home. Taking all of the legal safety precautions into account, the logistics, warehouse and administration departments can still be contacted. The senior management team will decide on the future measures to be taken and the anticipated duration of the interruption to production at the beginning of the week.

The pandemic plans also take into consideration Hobby’s trade partners, customers and suppliers. Schemes are being developed with the banks to help the company’s European trade partners who have had to stop the vast majority of their sales activities through the crisis. Hobby is extending the deadlines for leak tests due in the next 30 days by an additional 90 days for its caravan customers in Europe. Hobby is also in contact with all of its suppliers to keep track of the whole process, both during and after the interruption to production.

Bernd Löher is positive: “The tougher we act now, the quicker we will get through this. The main thing is that we all stay healthy.”