Satellite builder Maxar Technology has warned customers that the Coronavirus is impacting its production lines and that delivery dates are potentially going to be affected.

Maxar made a filing to the Securities & Exchange Commission March 20 saying that it had initially closed its satellite manufacturing factory in Palo Alto and San Jose in compliance with local regulations but had subsequently re-opened them as it had decided that its work was essential and thus exempt from the obligatory closures.

However, Maxar admits this benefit might change and thus was notifying customers of the potential ‘Force Majeure’ closures. The company is already suffering the inevitable knock-on effect of shortage of components from its suppliers in and outside of the US.

“We have transitioned to a WFH posture across Maxar for all team members whose roles can be performed remotely, recognising the increased impacts on families from school and community closures. Mission-critical roles that must be conducted from a Maxar location are an exception to the WFH protocol. This approach protects our ongoing business operations and supports our efforts to continue to meet critical customer commitment,” says Maxar.

Maxar has 30 facilities in total and some 5800 staff. Amongst important orders on hand it is building a satellite for EchoStar/Huges (the Jupiter-3 craft) and Intelsat (i40) amongst others.

Categories: Articles, DTH/Satellite