It will be Monday, May 4 that this industrial facility will return to work, just like the Motori Minarelli engine plant located in Calderara di Reno in Italy. MBK Industrie has been building two-wheelers since 1924. In 1986 it became a subsidiary of Yamaha, chaired by Eric de Seynes. Since 2018, the factory's activity has focused solely on the production of two wheels from the Yamaha brand.
The French and Italian Yamaha factories had ceased activity since March 16. In Italy, Ducati resumed production last Monday, April 27, then it will be the turn next Monday – May 4 – for MV Agusta, Honda, Piaggio, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi.
Here is the official view from Yamaha:
Yamaha Motor Europe today announced that assembly of finished products will restart at the Motori Minarelli engine plant in Calderara di Reno, Italy and at MBK Industrie in Saint Quentin, France on Monday, May 4.
Production in these two entities was temporarily suspended on March 16 in order to ensure the safety of employees, thus anticipating the confinement finally decided in the two countries in order to combat the spread of Covid-19.
The evolution of the situation has been closely monitored in recent weeks, with a weekly assessment of the reopening of factories.
The resumption of production is taking place in two phases, the first phase having taken place in April. In strict compliance with each country's restrictions, this initial phase saw a return to work only for employees authorized to do so and able to practice social distancing at their station, as well as a program to introduce Covid safety measures -19 in key work environments, to resume priority operations and prepare the plant for full reopening.
Phase two will begin on May 4 with a gradual return to finished product manufacturing operations in both factories, the organization of work has been adapted to protect the health and well-being of employees, this being Yamaha's priority MotorEurope.
Eric de Seynes, President and CEO of Yamaha Motor Europe:
“The reopening of the motorcycle, scooter and engine production factories that we have in Europe is good news in the very complicated period that we are experiencing. This was possible thanks to the cooperation of all parties involved, to whom I would like to sincerely thank, and allows us to guarantee all safety measures for our employees. This also represents a key step in supplying products to our dealer network which, over the coming weeks, will restart its activities in all countries in the process of deconfinement such as Italy (May 4) or France and Spain (May 11). »
