Rivian acted quickly after reports of bed bugs on one of the forklifts in the Normal manufacturing facility. The automaker confirmed with The Pantagraph that it hired a professional pest controller to deal with the problem.
Zach Dietmeier, senior manager of plant communications and policy at Rivian, said the company has received reports of bed bugs on forklifts in an isolated area of the plant.
“These affected teams have been notified,” Dietmeier said in an email to the publication. “We investigate each report and take appropriate action according to our pest control contractor.”
Rivian acted to quarantine and treat the forklifts in the area and, as a precautionary measure, is treating the other forklifts and trailers. The automaker has also treated all the transportation shuttles and plans to treat all warehouse spaces by the end of the week. Dietmeier noted that no other bugs were found in either of those locations.
Rivian employees contacted The Pantagraph and spoke on condition of anonymity. One said that on Tuesday, there were several forklifts parked with signs that said “Bed bugs, do not use” and had plastic bags covering the seats.
“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.”
Rivian sent an email to its employees to encourage employees to report concerns. The automaker said the facilities are safe and will remain open for production and events. It also said it would continue to investigate reports as they come in and warned against the spread of misinformation.
Rivia employees also complained about the bedbugs at the factory on Reddit. One of them noted that Rivian may have had the bedbugs on the forklifts for a week or even longer and that the automaker tried to “keep it quiet and just throw garbage bags over them.”
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Rivian tackles a bed bug problem at its Normal, IL factory
