Strict safety measures enable RPI to achieve ‘90% production’
21 May 2020
Specialist inspection systems develop RPI UK says its production capacity is back to 90% since reopening after the coronavirus lockdown.
The firm says its order book is full until September 2020, with a target to return to full production by the end of June.
MD Peter Marchbank said: “Our employees are our biggest asset and their safety has always been our number one priority. We closed our operations until we were confident we could put measures in place to protect our employees, and by association, their families and the wider community.”
During the factory’s lockdown Marchbank says he phoned each of his employees once a week.
“Keeping in regular contact helped build employee confidence that RPI was doing everything it could to ensure a safe working environment, so that when the time was right to reopen, employees felt reassured and were onboard.” explained Marchbank.
RPI has adopted all the safety guidelines recommended by the government, including carrying out a comprehensive Covid-19 health and safety risk assessment.
Keeping in regular contact helped build employee confidence that RPI was doing everything it could to ensure a safe working environment, so that when the time was right to reopen, employees felt reassured and were onboard
Peter Marchbank, MD, RPI UK
RPI’s safe work practices include strict 2 metres social distancing, avoiding physical contact, frequent hand washing, additional cleaning and sanitising regimes for tools, machines and controls and worksurfaces - especially at the beginning and end of every break, when everyone arrives at work and before they leave.
The company has also asked employees who can work from home to do so. Those living with vulnerable people are self-isolating. Employees have also been advised to inform RPI immediately if they, or any of their immediate family, are ill or have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus, so appropriate action can be taken.
Over the last three years RPI’s turnover doubled in the past two years. Exports now account for almost two thirds of turnover, with representation in the EU, USA, South Korea, China and Russia.
It has also spent £0.5 million on the ongoing updating of its factory. Some15% of the workforce being apprentices with plans to take on more later this year.
The company works with major manufacturers of turbine engines in the energy and aerospace sector, including Rolls-Royce, and has also supplied film animator Aardman, which used an extremely high accuracy multi axis rotary device to help film their new movie, ‘Early Man’.
