Bernd Althusmann, Minister of Economic Affairs of Lower Saxony, said: “Volkswagen is sending out a strong signal through its commitment to lower Saxony in this exceptional situation. The availability of medical protective equipment is a key factor in combating the coronavirus pandemic and will help in ensuring that our health system remains stable and functions reliably despite the crisis”.
Volkswagen HR Board Member Gunnar Kilian said: “The battle against coronavirus has not yet been won. Everyone and every company must help to curb the spread of the virus. This is why health protection takes absolute priority, also during the resumption of production. Medical practitioners and nurses continue to need our full support. For them, the fight against coronavirus is a marathon. Volkswagen is helping them with its donation. Our Procurement, Health, Finance and Logistics teams have devoted their full effort to this project”.
The Chairman of the Volkswagen Group Works Council Bernd Osterloh said: „Our colleagues are proud that Volkswagen at this point in time supports this major effort to safeguard supplies. It’s more than 40 years ago now that Volkswagen as one of the first international automakers started to forge links with China. Now we benefit from decades of close partnership in another context.“
In addition to the 5 million masks which have now arrived, about 250,000 pairs of protective gloves and 18,000 sets of protective clothing which have already arrived, further consignments are expected in the near future. The supplies are being distributed within Germany by public bodies.
Over the past few weeks, Volkswagen has received a large number of requests for help from hospitals, medical practices and social facilities. As the company itself did not have the requested quantities of materials available, experts from Group Health, Group Procurement, Group Logistics and Group Finance cooperated closely to ensure supplies to the facilities concerned as quickly as possible.
The Volkswagen teams analyzed demand in Germany, identified suitable suppliers in China, rapidly initiated the orders required and coordinated transport by air freight from China to Germany. The disinfectant was ordered and produced in Germany. In this case too, public bodies are responsible for distribution.
Note: Photos are available from 5:30 p.m. at www.volkswagen-newsroom.com.