Royal Enfield's Oragadam plant starts thumping again after 45 days

Chennai-based motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield has begun production at its Oragadam plant, which is located in the SIPCOT Industrial Centre. The company had suspended manufacturing operations on March 23, 2020 in line with government directives of lockdown to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

Subsequent to the new directives issued by the government on May 1, 2020 as regard resumption of manufacturing, industrial and commercial business activities, Royal Enfield has resumed operations at its manufacturing facilities starting May 6, 2020.

The Oragadam plant, near Chennai, will be the first to begin operations in a staggered manner, with minimal staff over a single shift. Royal Enfield says, "employees and shopfloor staff residing in and around plant locations will be aligned to work in these units so as to avoid long-distance travel and minimise contact during transportation. There will be complete compliance to norms of social distancing and workplace sanitisation.

Operations at the other two manufacturing facilities - Tiruvottiyur and Vallam Vadagal - will be started in a phased manner. All other office locations including corporate offices in Chennai, Gurgaon and the UK Technical Centre will continue to remain closed, and employees will work from home as of now.

While the majority of Royal Enfield dealer network will continue to remain closed, around 120 dealerships have begun partial operations. The company expects around 300 dealerships, in all, to be operational by mid-May with strict safety measures and social distancing norms will be followed at dealerships as well. The company will offer facilities like ‘home test-rides’ to ensure adherence to preventive safety measures. During the period of the lockdown, Royal Enfield has extended warranty and free service validity for a period of two months.