Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates for Boral’s employees, contractors and customers
At Boral, we are continuing to take measures to help manage the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus (
Our number one priority is to ensure the safety and health of our people, our customers and any visitors to our sites. At this point in time, in most jurisdictions, Boral’s operations are considered to be within the critical infrastructure and construction sectors that are permitted and encouraged to continue as essential businesses. So, where we can continue to operate in a safe way, with appropriate hygiene and social distancing practices, our operations remain open and we are continuing to supply customers.
In Australia, construction is considered an essential industry, so we are safely working and supplying the market. Where demand is slowing, and where we have adequate levels of inventory to support our customers for the next several months, we will look to slow production to right-size operations.
For Boral North America, the full or partial 'stay at home' or 'shelter in place orders' in many states are impacting the business, but like Australia, as a supplier to the construction industry Boral is considered an essential business in most places. So where social distancing practices, CDC operational guidelines and other hygiene standards can be adopted, most of Boral’s US plants are continuing to safely operate. Where more stringent restrictions are in place temporary closures will occur, and where demand is declining and we have adequate inventory levels to supply customers, production curtailments will take place.
On a more positive note, in USG Boral in Asia, following the temporary closure of our China operations for a period of 6-8 weeks, employees are returning to work and production is beginning to ramp up. However, the spread of COVID-19 is now impacting other Asian markets more broadly with the temporary closure of USG Boral’s operations in Malaysia, India and the Philippines.
To learn more about Boral’s protocols and practices for employees and contractors please refer to the following documents:
Travel Guidance
Hygiene Advice
Contractor Update - Vulnerable Workers
Videos:
Keeping the Distance
Precautions, Preventative Measures & Guidelines
Other:
Boral Australia docketless delivery (no signature protocol)
Support services
If you work for Boral and would like a copy of Boral’s Frequently Asked Questions, please ask your manager or email: covid19@boral.com.au.
We are also working to ensure we are as prepared as we can be around business continuity planning including minimising our supply chain risks and business disruption, and strengthening our remote working capabilities. We have identified business critical processes, including in our manufacturing operations and distribution as well as in our finance and IT functions such as accounts payable and payroll. We have contingency planning underway including planning for staff absenteeism and planning to minimise any potential supply disruption to customers. We do not rely on a single data centre or IT facility.
Some customers have asked about where our products are manufactured and if it is safe to accept Boral products onto their sites. Boral’s products are predominantly sourced and manufactured locally in the country in which they are sold. For example, Boral's construction materials are sourced from our local quarry, concrete and asphalt operations around Australia, together with the majority of our cement and clinker needs. Similarly, our building products, including plasterboard, are predominantly manufactured locally. While we do source some clinker, additives and equipment from overseas, expert advice is that the primary spread of the virus is through close, unprotected and direct contact with an infected person. There is currently no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 through imported goods.
Some customers have also asked if we expect any supply shortages and if we have alternate locations to supply customers from if a site is impacted by COVID-19.
Because Boral operates across many sites – we have more than 670 operating sites globally and an additional 150 distribution sites globally – we have a number of back-ups and alternative locations for customer supply already built into our network. Also, we are working to ensure we have adequate stocks of supply of all critical additives and inputs that are imported. While our business continuity plans are confidential documents, if you are a customer and would like to better understand the way we operate and how we are managing the risks of COVID-19 in Boral, please contact your sales representative and a meeting or a discussion can be arranged.
If you are planning a meeting with a member of our Boral team in the coming weeks we will completely understand if you would prefer to conduct the meeting electronically. Our employees will also be seeking to confirm whether external meetings can be conducted electronically. If meetings are conducted in person our staff are empowered to seek confirmation that all those in attendance are free from flu like symptoms and exposure to infected members of our community.
We would appreciate our customers letting us know straight away if you have any reason to suspect the virus may be on your site. We will then make alternative arrangements to minimise the risk of exposing our people and spreading the virus.