Jaguar Land Rover’s factories went dark in early September after a cyberattack slammed the brakes on production, sending shockwaves through the UK automotive industry. More than five weeks later, JLR has begun a phased restart of its operations, starting with its Wolverhampton engine plant and the battery assembly center in Hams Hall.
The restart also includes stamping operations at Castle Bromwich, Halewood, and Solihull, along with the body shop and paint shop at Solihull’s vehicle production plant. Manufacturing of key models like the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport will resume in the coming days. However, JLR warns that production will be limited at first and full normality could take weeks or months.
This shutdown has been a significant blow to JLR and its vast supply chain. Wholesale sales plummeted by over 24 percent year on year in the quarter ending September 30, with retail sales also down sharply. Many tier-one suppliers struggled financially, laying off staff as revenue dried up during the production freeze.
To ease the strain on suppliers, JLR has launched a new financing scheme to expedite payments, providing cash upfront for qualifying suppliers to help stabilize the supply chain. The initiative aims to cushion smaller vendors who faced severe disruptions and help prevent further job losses.
Employees on the factory floor expressed relief at returning to work, though many noted the financial strain endured during the shutdown. Experts caution that while production is back on track, JLR and its suppliers face a bumpy road ahead as they recover from the cyberattack’s fallout.
This restart marks a critical step toward regaining momentum but also highlights the fragility of global supply chains and the growing threat cyberattacks pose to manufacturing operations worldwide.
