Partial production starts at Toyota plant

The strike and subsequent lock-out at the factory of Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) in Bangalore has resulted in losses of around Rs 70 crore for the company even as it has started partial production by engaging senior staff.

"We have re-started production at the factory, about 30%, by involving supervisors and managers," A R Shankar, general manager (corporate planning) of TKM, said.

He added that following the resumption of production, about 30 vehicles were being rolled out daily even though the normal levels are about 92 units.

"We are now planning to jack up production and mobilise some people from the office like group leaders and managers," Shankar said.

He said the estimated loss for the company due to break in production was about Rs 8 crore per day. "It will affect sales in the long run," he said.

Talks between the company management and the striking workers failed yesterday with the company refusing to budge from its stated position. "There will be no compromise on discipline," Shankar said.

The reconciliation meeting was organised by the labour commissioner after studying the proposal made by the employees union.