April 13, 2020
To the whole family of Witte and Solà,
The global spread of COVID-19 is affecting us all. At WYS, people come first and we act with the conviction that the decisions we are making are the best to safeguard the health of those of us who work at WYS and our families. But at the same time, we must also seek measures that ensure jobs, wages and business continuity in the future.
This global effort (to protect the most vulnerable, study this virus and care for the sick without slowing down economic activity) requires all of our attention and all of our participation in extreme security measures. I’d like to summarize some of the measures that we are taking on our part.
Protect our Organization.
During all this time we have taken into account the people most vulnerable to the virus and those who, due to their family situation, have had to be absent from their jobs. And so we will continue to do so. There is no collective economic interest that can override individual health and well-being.
In this sense, the financial aid that we put in place is still valid for those who need it, as well as our greater will to adjust the needs of family reconciliation to the organizational needs.
To all the people who are going through some difficult days, our most sincere support. Have our resources and all our encouragement to overcome this moment.
In our factory, warehouses, workshops and offices.
First, I want to acknowledge the effort made by all of us who form Witte and Solà. For the predisposition to adapt to this new situation and for the effort made in these circumstances. Although the infection rate has decreased dramatically, we know that the effects of COVID-19 are still being felt strongly. I want to express my deep gratitude to our teams for their determination and positive spirit.
Starting on Tuesday the 14th, we will resume all our operations with the normality that the situation allows us. I also want to thank our purchasing team and suppliers for their remarkable efforts in maintaining our supply chain. What we have learned together has helped us all develop best practices that are greatly helping us in our response to this crisis.
One of those lessons is that the most effective way to minimize the risk of virus transmission is to reduce density and maximize social distance. Remember that starting tomorrow, Tuesday, we will return to the factory entrances in stages, the use of a mask will be mandatory in all our facilities and that, before leaving the house, we must take our temperature and make sure it is below 37.5º C In case of doubt, we will always call our immediate superior to report the situation and make an agreed decision. You have the new Security Protocol (Rev4) available on the Employee Portal.
In our offices, we have reached flexible work agreements. That means team members must work remotely if their job allows, and those whose job requires them to be onsite must follow the current Safety Protocol to maximize interpersonal space. Extensive and extensive cleaning will continue everywhere and on every shift.
We have expanded our leave and flexibility policies to accommodate the personal or family health circumstances created by COVID-19, including recovery from illness, caring for a sick loved one, mandatory quarantine, or childcare challenges due to school closings.
For Our Clients and Collaborators
We know that our clients depend on Witte and Solà products all the time, and especially at times like this. We are bringing the same courage and passion to face this challenge as we do in everything we undertake.
In view of the evolution of the infection curve, we believe that WYS has contributed its grain of sand by reducing capacity first and closing for the last 10 days afterwards, and that therefore, now is the time to ensure our continuity, maximizing always the security measures and thus continuing with the service to all our clients recovering our productive normality.
Looking forward
There is no doubt about the challenge of this moment. The entire family of Witte and Solà is indebted to the heroic first aid services, doctors, nurses, researchers, public health experts and public servants from all over the world who have contributed their efforts to help face this moment. We still do not know for sure when the greatest risk will be behind us and now it is up to us to act respecting the measures to avoid the spread with responsibility.
Likewise, I am inspired by the camaraderie and determination that I have seen from all corners of our Organization. As US President Lincoln said at a time of great adversity:
“The situation is full of difficulties, and we must rise to the occasion.
Since our case is new, we must think and act in a new way. ”
We must learn to think and act differently, of course, to ensure a good level of treasury that helps us face possible complicated situations in the coming months, but we must also think about how to act differently with people, with customers, with the value chain, with our capabilities. It is time to rethink our relationship model with the environment. Apply what you have learned.
Normality as we knew it is still far away. So in this “new normal” that we are starting tomorrow, let us act more agilely, with new learning, applying innovation in each process, respecting the environment, inspiring trust, exercising leadership and giving value back to society.
This is how WYS has chosen to face great challenges.
And this is how we will rise to face this one too.
Let’s do this!
JAVIER SOLÀ
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Reader Interactions