Rivian represents one of the most exciting and refreshing automobile manufacturers for many people. The Rivian R1T and R1S feature so many changes that consumers have been looking for for a while. However, the fledgling EV maker has struggled to scale its production to keep up with demand. Between COVID lockdowns, supply chain issues, rising prices and shipping issues, Rivian’s huge stock valuation has plummeted. Now, to make matters worse, Rivian’s plant has a bug problem.
Rivian has bedbugs
According to carcoops, the Rivian manufacturing facility has received multiple reports of bed bugs. The plant’s senior communications manager, Zach Dietmeier, confirmed to The Pentagraph that the company had received reports of bed bugs in forklifts in a section of the plant.
Dietmeier says Rivian has quarantined the affected forklifts and had them treated by pest control professionals. The spokesperson also mentioned that shipping shuttles, other forklifts and various other vehicles had been isolated and treated to stop the outbreak. The plan would have the plant fully treated by the end of the month.
How long has Rivian had bed bugs?
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Carscoops found a Reddit user claiming to be an employee who said the Rivian plant had bedbugs for at least a week before the company did anything about it. The user alleges that Rivian knew and reacted too slowly.
“I just thought anyone who works there should know as they are trying to keep it under wraps and just throwing garbage bags. [the forklift seats] for people to sit down,” wrote another employee, expressing concern and irritation.
“No one really wants to bring bed bugs home,” the employee said. “Like, I don’t know what would happen if someone actually brought bed bugs home with them… I doubt Rivian would pay for fumigation of personal property.”
When will Rivian’s production woes end?
Automotive production has been in a state of chaos for the past two years. Following the onset of COVID, basically all of auto manufacturing has suffered. The closure of the plants started the log jamb, which was ensured by the continuing shortage of semiconductor chips. With Rivian already suffering from all of these issues plus the normal growing pains of being an auto start-up, problems like this bed bug outbreak are daggers in the already limping company.
Rivian claims that the facility is safe and is being treated for bed bugs. The company further encourages employees to report any evidence of bed bugs for investigation. However, Rivian also warned employees against spreading misinformation.