Whilst the situation regarding the Coronavirus outbreak in Europe and the UK is developing and changing quickly, Hochiki Europe would like to assure all their partners that the business has been continually reviewing and monitoring the UK Government’s advice. To date, the company has implemented the following actions to reduce the virus spread:
- Encouraging staff to work from home, where practicable
- Travel ban in place for overseas business travel
- Staff rotation in place to promote social distancing yet fully maintain our customer service levels
- Additional cleaning of doors, handles and frequently touched surfaces by the cleaning staff
- Placement of additional antibacterial hand sanitizer around our head office and R&D center as well as detailed instructions on effective handwashing in all staff restrooms
- Advice given to all staff on when and how to self-isolate and what to do if becoming unwell
discourage unnecessary social contact
To further discourage unnecessary social contact, the company has postponed their product training program, until further notice. Wherever possible conferencing technology is being used to ensure that meetings, both in the UK as well as across Europe, can take place. There is a business continuity plan in place and they do not plan any closures at this point.
Hochiki Europe’s technical support team and customer services teams remain available to take the customer’s enquiry and their factory and warehouse continues to be fully operational. They have a global supply chain and will endeavor to ensure suitable stock levels remain in place. If a customer has any concerns, at any time, they have been requested to liaise with their customer services or sales contact who will be able to support them further.
practice good hygiene
Hochiki urges everyone to join their staff in practicing good hygiene while on site
Hochiki asks that if anyone is planning to visit either Hochiki Head Office (Gillingham) or their R&D Centre (Rochester), that they confirm in advance that they have not travelled to any high-risk countries, nor been in contact with anyone with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Hochiki urges everyone to join their staff in practicing good hygiene while on site and during this period refrain from handshaking. Where they feel it might be more suitable, the company is always happy to meet them via conference or video call. They assure their customers that they will continue to keep everyone updated as and when they receive further information from the Government.
Update from Customer Services Team:
Due to the current COVID-19 Pandemic, and to encourage the Government’s guidelines on social distancing, please note that Hochiki Europe will not be accepting customer collect orders from the Gillingham site. Instead, the customer will be contacted and offered a next day pre 12pm delivery, at the company’s cost. Hochiki will also waiver the £50 minimum order value for customers who usually collect.
