Major aluminium producers operating in some of the countries most affected by Covid-19 took decisive actions early on to protect workers and maintain operations, top executives said during a panel at Fastmarkets International Aluminium Conference on Tuesday September 22.
Top executives from Alcoa Corp, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), Hindalco, Norsk Hydro and China Hongqiao participated in the panel, sharing their unique experiences responding to the unprecedented health crisis.In China, where the pandemic began, the reaction from China Hongqiao Group was both "swift" and "strong," according to the company's international adviser, Ron Knapp."Two days into the Chinese New Year, there was action taken very quickly to protect the workers and their families, setting up reporting systems, taking immediate action to literally shut down the movement of people, including workers coming in and out, to ensure the continued safety of the workers and of their families," Knapp said.Operations were able to return to normal by February, a success he credited to close cooperation with the local and provincial government authorities."It was collaborative. It was together they were able to deliver an outcome that was so successful," he said. "That's the only way...