Royal Enfield Is Back In Business!

1 of the 3 factories has resumed production with minimal staff, more to follow soon

Royal Enfield’s factories have been shut since March 23 due to the nationwide lockdown, meaning the brand recorded rather dismal sales figures for the month of April. Now, with restrictions being gradually eased, the company is back in business with production having resumed at its Oragadam factory near Chennai. Staff living in and around the plant will be working in a single shift, with social distancing and all other necessary precautions in place.

Also Read: TVS Resumes Production At All Its Plants In India

The other two manufacturing facilities in Tiruvottiyur and Vallam Vadagal will also restart production soon in a phased manner. Besides, 120 RE dealers across the country have also begun partial operations, and the brand expects this number to grow to 300 by mid-May. Taking the situation into account, facilities like home test rides are also being offered. Full details available below:

Wednesday - May 06, 2020: Company’s manufacturing operations were suspended 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 with regards to resumption of manufacturing, industrial and commercial business activities, Royal Enfield has resumed operations at its manufacturing facilities starting May 6, 2020.

Our manufacturing unit at Oragadam, near Chennai, India will be the first to begin operations in a staggered manner, with minimal staff over a single shift. Employees and shop floor 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 & workplace sanitization.

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. We expect 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.

Royal Enfield will continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate action as per regulatory and administrative guidance.