Rivian claims to have taken all appropriate measures, but employees are not happy about the infestation
through Sebastian Bell
December 5, 2022 at 5:31 p.m
through Sebastian Bell
Rivian didn’t have an easy route to mass production, and now its Normal, Illinois facility has experienced another hiccup. The electric vehicle maker found bed bugs on a forklift at its factory and was forced to use pesticides.
Speaking to The Pentagraph, Zach Dietmeier, Senior Manager of Plant Communications, confirmed the company had received reports of bed bugs on its forklift in what it described as an isolated area of the plant.
“These affected teams have been notified,” said Dietmeier. “We investigate each report and take appropriate action in accordance with our pest control company.”
Read: NY man burns down three cars while trying to kill bugs
The representative also said that Rivian has made efforts to quarantine and treat the affected forklifts and is also taking preventive measures to stop the further spread of the bed bugs. As a result, it is handling other forklifts and tow tractors, as well as the transport shuttles, and plans to tackle all storage areas at the factory by the end of the month.
Scroll to continue
On Reddit on Friday, November 25, a user claimed that the plant had had bugs for at least a week. They then claimed that Rivian failed to adequately or timely address the issue.
“I just thought it should be known to everyone who works there as they try to keep it a secret and just knock over bin bags [the forklift seats] so people can sit on it,” they wrote. Another employee, who spoke to the Pentagraph on condition of anonymity, expressed concern that the bugs could potentially be brought home.
“No one really wants to bring bed bugs home,” the employee said. “I don’t know what would happen if someone actually brought bed bugs home with them… I doubt Rivian would pay to fumigate personal property.”
However, the automaker claims its facilities are safe and treated appropriately. It encouraged staff to report bed bugs and said it would continue to investigate the reports it received. However, it warned against the spread of misinformation.
