STA, 4 May 2020 - Cement factory Salonit Anhovo restarted production on Monday after a two-week suspension, heeding strict preventive measures to contain the Covid-19 spread. Shoe maker Alpina also pressed ahead at full steam today to meet the delivery deadlines after partly relaunching manufacturing in early April. Alpina shops reopened as well.
Salonit Anhovo used the break, imposed due to the coronavirus outbreak, to carry out maintenance works. Necessary cement deliveries were not suspended during the past two weeks, the company, based in western Slovenia, has said.
The restrictions, which were introduced already in March, remain in place, laying down that the staff should wear protective gear and use hand sanitisers as well as maintain a physical distance. The company's crisis task force meanwhile makes sure that the measures are implemented and heeded.
"Construction sites in Italy are reopening; the Slovenian market recorded in April a 20% drop in realisation compared to the expected figures. The company believes that the demand for our cement will further increase on the domestic market since the construction sector is key for relaunching the economy," Salonit Anhovo chairman Julijan Fortunat has said.
Meanwhile, Alpina, famous for its winter sports footwear, has recorded a decrease in demand due to the coronavirus crisis as well as this year's mild winter.
The Žiri-based company's director Jernej Osterman told the STA that the demand for sports footgear plunged by 30-40% compared to last year. Sales of other shoe products have been virtually non-existent in the past month and a half due to shop closures.
In April, online sales surged only to bring in revenue that cannot even begin to compare to the company's average monthly figures, he said, adding that hiking shoes had been most popular since Slovenians had regained appreciation for walks amid the lockdown.
Alpina reopened 27 out of its 48 shops today, with roughly half of the shop personnel returning to work as well. Others remain on furlough.
Osterman does not expect an influx of shoppers, even though the shops have been closed for so long. Instead, he believes the crisis will have an impact on shopping habits by reducing consumption.
"Due to pessimism, the consequences for the economy could be even significantly bigger," he said, urging a more optimistic approach as well as purchasing domestic products and thus keeping Slovenia's economy afloat.
Alpina director also expressed hope that the expected third stimulus package would provide aid to companies in June and July as well, which would help further mitigate the economic fallout.
