KMMG extends suspension of vehicle production

Published 2:06 pm Wednesday, April 22, 2020

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Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia has announced it will be extending its suspension of vehicle production through Friday, May 1.

Vehicle production is scheduled to resume on Monday, May 4. The plant’s production has been suspended since March 30.

A news release from KMMG said the company has been performing additional cleaning and disinfecting processes in work stations throughout the suspension of vehicle production.

“As the facility resumes operation, various mitigation activities are planned as preventive measures to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” a news release from the company said. “These actions include temperature scanning, face masks as required PPE, social distancing enhancements, “Grab and Go” food vending and site access restrictions.”

KMMG’s production of face shields to medical providers in Georgia and other states will continue, according to the news release. Paid volunteers are assembling the face shields from KMMG.

Kia has implemented a series of safety measures to protect team members, including the following: conducting temperature scans, providing face masks and gloves, and staggering work stations. Materials are being sourced from vendors such as 3-Dimensional Services Group, a Michigan-based rapid response manufacturer supporting prototype and low volume production applications that have partnered with Kia to provide components used in the assembly of the face shields.

A statement from the company said there have been 40 paid volunteers at a time assembling the face shields. Those volunteers are current KMMG staff.

As of Wednesday, there have been six cases of COVID-19 reported to KMMG during its suspension of production, according to Patrick Sands, KMMG team relations manager.