Large format print systems manufacturer Durst has shut down R&D and manufacturing facilities at its headquarters in Brixen, Italy for at least two weeks, after an employee tested positive for Covid-19. But it added: "All our branches are active."
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| Durst HQ in Brixen, Italy |
“With a heavy heart, we close our headquarters for the next two weeks,’ said Christoph Gamper, CEO, Durst Group.
The company confirmed last week that a staff member had tested positive to the novel coronavirus Covid-19 but said at the time that, “the employee in question has not been [at] the company for 13 days and has had only very limited contact with other employees.”
In an update this week, Gamper said: “Fortunately, we have no more cases, and we are all doing well. Still, out of solidarity with our families and out of respect for doctors and medical staff, we are doing what helps most: we are actively contributing to stop the further spread of the virus and stay at home.
“We took the issue very seriously from the very beginning, and we continue to do so. We help wherever we can - for example, with masks and protective suits for the hospital in Brixen, which, like many institutions, is currently struggling with a lack of resources.”
Durst Phototechnik AG has more than 500 employees worldwide. Its corporate management, research and development departments, production, marketing, sales, logistics and services are all located at its headquarters in Brixen, South Tyrol, Italy.
Brixen is also the main production site for the industrial printing systems.
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| Durst Oceania opened last year in Tullamarine, VIC. (l-r) MD Matt Ashman and Durst CEO Christoph Gamper |
“All our branches are active - with the restrictions that apply in the respective countries,” said Gamper. “A networked trunk team also works for the headquarters - wherever possible from the home office. The highest security measures are in place for employees who have to stay at the company. The branches have stocked spare parts as a precautionary measure, and ink logistics are maintained - a service team can be reached remotely in case of emergencies.
“We will use these two weeks to monitor the situation and work out scenarios and then hopefully - taking into account the legal status and only if we can ensure the safety of the employees and their families - restart production.
“These are challenging times - we are sure that you, our customers and partners, will show solidarity with our employees and us. We are confident that we are doing the right thing and that we will come out of this situation stronger.”
