Jackson, TN – Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Tennessee (TMMTN), formerly known as Bodine Aluminum, will return to production on May 11.
After suspending production in March, Toyota intends to gradually resume all its North American manufacturing operations in compliance with federal health and safety guidelines, and local and state ordinances. The health and safety of employees and stakeholders remain a top priority, and the company has implemented new protocols to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“Respect for People is at the very core of the Toyota Way,” said Wes Woods, president of TMMTN. “Our approach to restarting our plant begins with a safe work environment and economic stability for our team members, partners, suppliers and community. We will continue to follow all safety guidelines and monitor vehicle demand as we carefully ramp up production.”
In order to ensure employees are safe and healthy as they return to work, significant steps are being taken across operations:
Completion of a required Return to Work Preparedness Survey prior to coming onsite
New entry to work protocols, including temperatures checks, at entrance
Staggered start/stop times to aid with temperature checks and social distancing guidelines
New social distancing protocols in work areas and common areas
New sanitizing protocols
New PPE requirements, including face coverings
Work conditioning ramp up to return team members back to work safely
Giving Back
Beyond ensuring a safe facility for employees to return to, Toyota has been responding to needs in the community, like PPE and food scarcity.
Several of the company’s North American facilities have been fabricating face shields for healthcare workers on the frontlines of COVID-19. Toyota is donating over 20,000 face shields throughout the state. Recipients include:
State of Tennessee
Jackson Madison County General Hospital (and West Tennessee Healthcare)
Memorial Baptist – Memphis
Nashville General Hospital
Vanderbilt Hospital
Toyota sponsored #GiveBack731 with a $25,000 matching grant for West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation’s COVID-19 response fund – culminating on May 5 for Giving Tuesday Now. The company is helping to combat increased food needs with a $55,000 donation to RIFA and addressed immediate needs in response to COVID-19 and addressed immediate needs in response to COVID-19 with a $25,000 donation to United Way of West Tennessee.
