Appliance firms staring at brief production halt amid lockdown

A combination of localised lockdowns, closure of non-essential retail stores, and challenges emerging from low industrial oxygen supplies has forced home appliance makers to temporarily halt manufacturing activity.
 
Japanese major Panasonic will shut its Jhajjar plant in Haryana for a week beginning Monday, as demand suffers on account of containment measures.
 
“There was a positive momentum in the market between January and March, as coronavirus cases were low and people were stepping out to buy. As the cases picked up in April, localised lockdowns have grown, hurting demand. At the same time, the safety of our people matters.