Ducati started up production again at its Borgo Panigale, Bologna factory on April 27 and says that sales are strong and that its dealers are short of bikes.
A company press release stated that the company had recalled the minimum possible number of employees necessary to carry out production and research activities and that they must "comply with a rigid safety protocol developed together with the RSU and subject to a specific agreement. Masks will be mandatory for everyone, regardless of distancing".
CEO Claudio Domenicali stated: "It is absolutely essential to pay close attention to strict compliance with safety procedures - the virus has not disappeared. The work done jointly with the Emilia-Romagna region has been important. It will be an extremely difficult year, but starting up again is still a beginning; we have a lot of orders for the Streetfighter V4, for the Multistrada GT and for the Panigale V2.
"The motorbike is a perfect vehicle for 'phase two': no parking problems and distancing guaranteed; safety and fun at the same time."
The company went on to explain that "this is a first phase of return, which at the moment will only involve some of the workers needed for the production lines. Workshop staff will begin first, then engine assembly workers and, from Tuesday 28 April, motorcycle assembly workers. As for employees, the use of smart working will remain mandatory, only those who are not in a position to carry out their work from home will be allowed to access the factory.
"All resources employed in the commercial, marketing, IT, personnel management, finance, purchasing and logistics areas will therefore be working remotely. The production has been reorganised, going from an eight-hour shift to two seven-hour shifts to allow the minimum number of people to be inside the plant at the same time and thus minimise possible contact.
"R&D technicians who could not work from home were already at work as allowed by the specific ATECO code: therefore the engineers of the engine test rooms, those who carry out motorcycle tests and those who carry out laboratory testing, are all present at Borgo Panigale."
Domenicali said that "we are ready to go, we have worked hard over the past few weeks to minimise any risk. Despite this we will have to be extremely cautious and rigorous. The virus is still in circulation and we must therefore be careful to combat any possible form of transmission. We will obviously adapt the protocols to the evolution of the health situation and to the indications given by the state and the Emilia-Romagna region.
"The two-wheel market is highly seasonal, and the stop to production in March and April has already had negative effects on sales. The Chinese market is already booming, sales in Korea and Japan are doing well. In Germany, dealers have been open for a week and we already have a major shortage of product. I really believe that this restart can allow us to reduce at least in part the negative effects of the lockdown that we were forced to respect, unfortunately at the worst time.
"I want to thank all Ducati employees who have patiently and collaboratively managed this difficult phase and are supporting us in the management of the restart."
