When your business is a major player in the world-wide sector of aerospace engineering there is no escaping the impact of the coronavirus.

We asked French engineering giant Safran how it was managing in an industry where the prompt movement of parts from its Staverton base to mainland Europe is key to its operations.

While we chose to focus on how it was keeping production and maintenance moving, the firm's response shows where its priorities lay - with its staff.

We copied it below in full not just because we thought it was interesting and insightful, but because it shows the scale of the upheaval being experienced by firms of all shapes and sizes - no one is immune from the crisis.

"Safran is committed to help prevent the further spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19), with a focus on protecting the health of our employees.

"On March 18, Safran suspended production in countries most affected by the COVID-19 virus to allow it to step up cleaning and disinfection operations in addition to existing procedures.

"On Monday, March 23, production is resuming gradually in those countries. Work has been reorganized to incorporate the most stringent health and safety guidelines for employees.

"The same measures are taken in all Safran locations worldwide, in order to ensure that they continue with their business activities or adapt them to meet the needs of our customers, in complete compliance with their national government's guidance on the coronavirus.

"Safran has recommended that employees telecommute if their job allows (no constraints related to equipment or physical presence).

"Following school closures in certain countries/zones, measures have been implemented for employees who have to stay at home to care for their children, following the compensation terms in each country."

Safran employs an estimated 1,500 staff in Gloucestershire where it operates its specialist landing gear division and maintenance business.

Read this article:

Aerospace firm reveals how it launched into tackling the coronavirus crisis - Punchline Gloucester