Mars Lietuva on coronavirus cases at the factory: Several employees in self-isolation, work continues normally

“Our company has been complying with extremely strict safety requirements since February, when a global pandemic was not declared, separating the flows of employees during work breaks, partitions installed in dining rooms, rest areas, production sites or observed the required distance.

Mars Lietuva employees often follow exceptional hygiene requirements, as we are a food industry company: we wear helmets, goggles, special clothing. However, the company employs 800 people, they have their own social connections outside the company and to prevent the virus from entering from the outside, it is very difficult, so our biggest job is to prevent the spread of the virus within the company. . There were no cases in the company in the spring, but a new wave has also hit us, another proof that this infection is extremely dangerous and difficult to stop. Fortunately, our employees feel sick, ”says Aušra Žemaitienė, CEO of Mars Lietuva.

According to her, two cases in the company – external. Sick workers are doing quite well, with a slight fever early in the illness. All employees who have had contact with symptomatic co-workers are currently in self-isolation, and several at-risk individuals have been offered paid leave to overcome this period. According to the company, no more than five employees in self-isolation.

“Work is progressing normally, the production process has not stopped, we produce around 300 tons of pet food every day, and we can only thank our employees for that, who do not lose motivation, adhere firmly and strictly to all safety requirements, “says Mars Lietuva production manager. Paulius Žitinevičius.

According to the report, in order to prevent the spread of the virus, the company took steps in February to further disinfect facilities and tighten flow regulation. At the entrance of the company, a thermal imaging camera is installed, which allows to quickly and comfortably assess the body temperature of employees.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Mars Lietuva’s administration office has been working mainly remotely, with a maximum of 30 people in administration at a time. Mars Lietuva canceled all previously common events and practices, such as meetings with schoolchildren, students, or other community members, already in the spring, and internal meetings were strictly limited, most of them moved to virtual space.

Compared to 2018, the sales volumes of the Mars Lietuva company last year increased by 2.8 percent. and amounted to 171.2 million. euros. During 2019, the Gargždai plant produced more than 84 thousand. tons of pet food and the fastest growing product segment for online commerce – 48 percent.

The company exports 99 percent. its products, the main export markets: EU countries, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, Ukraine, Australia, Thailand. About a third of exports come from the company’s sales to the UK.