As the shortage of personal protective equipment continues unabated healthcare facilities have appealed to the industry for help.
Mainetti, a company that traditionally manufactures and recycles garment hangers and packaging, has responded with alacrity, transforming its production lines to manufacture much-needed PPE products.
As Jim Hutchison, Mainetti UK managing director, explained: “Like many businesses we have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, however our creative, can-do approach is beginning to see us repurpose our capabilities to join in the fight and support our key frontline workers.”
The company first announced last week that is was setting up production of protective face shields. Today, it said it would also be commencing the industrial-scale manufacture of disposable plastic aprons at its UK plant in Jedburgh, Scotland.
The initial focus will be on supplying NHS and care homes staff and other key workers, the company said. However, they will also be made available to businesses outside of this who are looking for equipment to protect their colleagues. The business will produce upwards of 300,000 disposable plastic aprons per week. The aprons will be CE certified and produced in line with NHS standards.
“The critical need for disposable aprons is well known and this initiative will enhance the UK's manufacturing capability of the essential PPE items we need and aims to reduce lead times and our reliance on imports,” said Mainetti’s UK production director, Graham Wilson.