Manasquan, NJ – March 23, 2020
These are remarkably challenging times, with each day bringing new obstacles which we all are facing together. For P.L. Custom Body and Equipment Co., Inc. (PLCB), parent company to PL Custom Emergency Vehicles (PLCEV), Rescue 1, and New Jersey Emergency Vehicles (NJEV), our history as an independent, family owned business engaged in the manufacturing, sales, and service of emergency vehicles gives us a long-term view of today’s challenges.
New Jersey Gov. Murphy announced Executive Order No. 107 on Saturday, March 21, 2020, which contained new operating standards for businesses. These measures are meant to flatten the curve and delay the spread of COVID-19. While the executive order allowed exceptions for… “auto maintenance and repair, and auto mechanics”, it also stated that “manufacturing… may continue to operate, but they should also limit staff on site to the minimal number needed for essential operations.”
With over 160 employees here at PLCB, our President, Deb Thomson, and her executive team have decided to respect our social responsibility to this pandemic and we will remain open, but at a significantly reduced capacity. This will allow us to respond to our customers’ and dealers’ essential needs, while maintaining social distancing requirements.
What does this mean? Our NJEV division is performing service work with a reduced staff capacity. Our goal is to handle the servicing needs for front line emergency services in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak. For both the PLCEV and Rescue 1 manufacturing needs, our engineering team is working from their respective homes. We have a smaller group of employees on site to attend to some production, shipping / receiving, and dealer support needs.
As a whole, we are choosing to hit the “pause” button on overall production for the safety of our personnel. This is the right and responsible thing to do. By having such a limited staff, we can avoid having people work in close proximity to one another.
These are incredibly impactful times. In business since 1946, PLCB’s highest motivation is to be doing the “right thing” for our people, our dealers, our vendors, and our customers. We realize this may cause some discomfort to some, but we all must do our part to help stem the spread of COVID-19. We will be updating you all as we go along, or if conditions warrant.
Please be safe, keep your distance, wash your hands, and stay home. We all will get through this.