"2019 was a balanced financial year for us, generating global sales of EUR 903 million," comments managing owner Hans Beckhoff. "After many years of upswing, a cyclical correction was to be expected, which is now being exacerbated by the coronavirus situation, which may have a greater impact. However, we are currently working at full capacity and will continue to do so in the coming months; there are no plans for short-time working. If the impact of the pandemic recedes in the coming months, we will even be able to achieve acceptable growth in 2020."

Based on this optimistic assessment, Beckhoff is continuing all investment projects and research and development work with full intensity. Beckhoff currently employs 4,350 people worldwide, and is also continuing to increase its workforce in certain areas," continues Hans Beckhoff.

Prepared for the coronavirus situation

The company is currently well prepared for the coronavirus situation and can serve its customers almost as usual. As a global company with subsidiaries in 39 countries, Beckhoff became aware of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic at an early stage.

In China in particular, the subsidiary there was able to gain experience of how to ensure the safety of employees and maintain the company's operations during the coronavirus pandemic.

Building on the experience of the Chinese Beckhoff employees, the company initiated initial measures in Germany at the end of February. In mid-March, all suitable workstations in Germany were moved to the home office (1,200 workstations in Germany and a total of 2,100 workstations worldwide). "Almost 80 percent of employees with an office workplace work from home. All employees affected by this measure can be reached by our customers as usual," reports Hans Beckhoff.
At the same time, production was switched to a two-shift operation with separate times.

All employees in production have also been divided into health and safety groups that can work independently of each other and at a safe distance. "All production, storage and delivery functions have been secured by spatial and temporal separation as well as many hygiene measures and continue to enable the security of supply for our customers. The company would like to thank all production employees who have supported these changes and restrictions in an exemplary and natural manner," emphasizes Beckhoff.