"Despite not having found cases of Covid-19 among employees to date" and despite having "immediately activated the preventive measures indicated by ministerial decrees aimed at protecting the health of its collaborators and people outside the company", Italian steel producer Feralpi Siderurgica has announced it has decided to suspend industrial activity at its Lonato del Garda site starting next Monday, March 16. The steel producer, one of the main producers in Europe for steel for the construction industry, added that "the situation at other plants on the national territory will be assessed individually in order to adopt specific measures."
Brescia-headquartered producer Lucchini RS Group has taken the same decision to counter the coronavirus emergency. The company announced today, March 13, that it will reduce its production cycle to the bare minimum in order to maintain the safety of people and the integrity of its plants.Both at its main plant in Lovere, Bergamo, and at its subsidiary Lucchini Mamè Forge in Cividate Camuno, Brescia, all production activities will be stopped. Only a few facilities will remain in operation, to complete the finishing and shipment of some urgent orders. The group has predicted the restart of its activities "after March 25, when the recent general government restrictive measures will be lifted".
"On behalf of the whole group, I would like to thank all the employees and collaborators of the company for the professionalism and seriousness and availability shown in this situation so delicate and difficult for everyone," said Lucchini RS CEO Augusto Mensi. He went on to say, "I recommend everyone to follow with the utmost scruple the indications coming from the health authorities, both at the company and in private life, trusting that these drastic measures will lead to a gradual improvement of the situation throughout our nation, in order to be able to start again with enthusiasm in facing the next very difficult challenges in an increasingly complex and competitive scenario."
Italian steelmakers Alfa Acciai, Ferriera Valsabbia and Duferdofin-Nucor have already announced the suspension of their production activities.