Daktronics announced it will resume production at its factory in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, on 13 April as demand for communication products remains steady.
“It is essential that we reopen to meet customer needs. Our sister factories in Brookings and Sioux Falls have continued to work during this time, and some of our work supports them and their customers,” plant manager Tom Quackenbush said.
As a manufacturer and distributor of communications equipment which is used to support all types of communications, including supporting transportation and public works projects, Daktronics is an exempt entity under the CISA critical infrastructure designation of Communications and Information Technology. Although the factory is exempt, Daktronics temporarily suspended its Minnesota manufacturing operations on March 28 in response to Governor Walz’s executive stay-at-home order and the factory’s production schedule.
As the health and well-being of workers is a top priority, Daktronics has mobilized a Global COVID-19 Response Team and has implemented a robust plan to maximize health and safety while maintaining production and services capabilities. Daktronics maintains health and safety measures in its Redwood Falls facility which meet the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Standards as well as the Minnesota Department of Health and CDC guidelines related to COVID-19.
Daktronics gave a statement on personnel and working procedures: “As it is essential for them to be on the premises to do their work, we have implemented zones, with a small number of people per zone and rigorously restricted movement between zones to minimize in-person contact. This includes parking areas, entrances, break areas and restrooms.
We have implemented additional cleaning and hygiene safeguards following CDC guidelines. We are prepared for rapid response and are cleaning zones frequently so people can continue to work. We require employees who are ill or have COVID-19 symptoms to stay home and not report to work. We have contingency plans for cleaning and work stoppage within zones if an employee tests positive for COVID-19. Hand washing stations are located throughout our campus and disinfectants in break areas. We are not accepting visitors.”
Tom continued: “As people return to work, they can be confident we are taking precautions and implementing plans consistent with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization recommendations.”
The company is also working closely with the National Association of Manufacturers and their guidance and direction to ensure worker safety.
To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, Daktronics has also provided COVID-19 related content for free to assist our customers in communicating important, timely information on their displays. This content has been downloaded thousands of times in recent weeks.
