Daimler will begin ramping up production today after what’s turned out to be a break of nearly four weeks. The process will take place in phases, as the company needs to implement new safety procedures in combination with timing the renewed output of individual components. Drive systems and transmissions are expected to be the first units to begin production, though 3-shift production across all of the company’s plants isn’t likely to be achieved for some time yet. Daimler’s work council chief Michael Brecht claims that worker safety is the number one priority of the company at this stage. “I’m convinced that our people are safer than in grocery stores,” he said. The company undertook a study of the working conditions of its 170,000 employees in Germany and come up with solutions for what it believes are each hazard, including their clothing, shower facilities, canteens and break rooms. Investors will be watching closely to see if the restart has any impact on Daimler’s share price, which is 30 percent lower than it was pre-crisis.
