Even as ‘ordinary’ print work has dwindled companies across the sector have leapt into action to produce a variety of products to help combat the Coronavirus. This includes PPE equipment such as masks and visors, social distancing floor graphics and XYZ
Prime Group has been manufacturing disposable protective visors for healthcare workers. The Nottinghamshire-based company offered its expertise in plastics and laser cutting after MD Jon Tolley’s wife, an intensive care worker, exposed a lack of protective equipment for healthcare staff.
PBL, a Chester-Le-Street print firm, has designed and produced a colouring book to help children keep busy during the lockdown. The company is donating £1 from every one sold to the NHS.
Antalis has provided essential supplied to allow Data Reprographics’ creative designer and prop makers Faye McCallum to produce 2000 face masks for healthcare workers across north and west London.
Blackman & White is using its expertise in cutting systems to design and make vital PPE equipment for healthcare workers.The Essex-based manufacturer tasked its CAD engineers to create a visor that is made from polycarbonate or acetate to make the most of its in-house machine capabilities.
Baker Labels has printed a selection of social distancing floor stickers which are available for retailers, care homes and other outlets, free of charge. Managing director Steve Baker said, ‘We saw other national retailers using these floor stickers and thought it would be great to quickly get some printed to help smaller businesses that don’t have access to the corporate support of the larger stores. We got them designed and printed in 24 hours.’
A donation of 600 cardboard boxes from Rigid Containers is helping Kettering Borough Council to continue delivery of essential food parcels. The boxes are being used by the council to deliver food to the most vulnerable members of the community, who may be struggling during the current Covid-19 pandemic. As well as the 600 boxes already delivered, Rigid Containers has promised to supply more if needed, as the crisis continues.
Another company providing protection for healthcare workers is Prosign Print & Display which is producing thousands of PPE face guards every day to be supplied to local hospitals, doctors and care homes.
Northern Flags and FaberExposize UK have been supplying supermarkets, offices and doctor’s surgeries with Anti Slip Social distancing floor vinyls, printed on its Agfa presses since the very start of the outbreak. They have since branched out into banners in support of the NHS, facemarks and a variety of signage.
Hednesford-based Weedon PSC, a producer of Retail Ready Packaging (RRP) and Point of Sale (POS) displays, is applying its skills to help the many employees and schoolchildren working from home during the Coronavirus outbreak. The company is manufacturing a small desk made from corrugated board which will fit conveniently into an alcove, against a wall or even in a large cupboard the desks available at cost.
Image Options has been providing the whole range of helpful equipment from face shields and social distancing stickers through to protective shields for people working on tills. Chairman Tim Bennett has shared how the company has supplied over 10,000 face masks to healthcare workers.
Service Graphics has provided roller banners and floor graphics to provide social distancing guidance, posters to raise awareness of policies and rules around what to do in public spaces, flyers and leaflets to keep people up to date with the latest advice and regulations and more.
