Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) staff will remain out of work for at least another week as the UK Business Secretary plans to meet with suppliers facing potential closure. The disruption to JLR’s production began in late August due to a significant cyber attack, leading to concerns about the viability of the company’s suppliers without external support.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle will visit JLR to engage with firms in the supply chain that are affected. JLR announced on Tuesday that production will not resume until October 1 at the earliest, extending the halt from a prior expected date of September 24. In a statement, the company emphasized its commitment to supporting customers, suppliers, and employees during this challenging time.
Industry Minister Chris McDonald is also scheduled to accompany Peter Kyle in the visit, with the aim of understanding the needs of the supply chain and gathering information on how to assist in restoring production. McDonald articulated two main goals: getting JLR operating again swiftly and ensuring the long-term stability of the supply chain. He acknowledged the financial difficulties suppliers and their employees face due to the shutdown.
According to Johnathan Dudley, head of manufacturing at Crowe UK, a consulting firm situated in the West Midlands, suppliers are eager to express their concerns but are cautious in their communications. He noted that their intent is not to assign blame, but rather to seek assistance, as some businesses are struggling with meeting payroll obligations during this period of disruption.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c15kpxnn2p2o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss