Opro’s switch to PPE props up business

OPRO, the supplier of mouthguards to the England rugby union team, is to ramp up production of PPE to help Britain emerge from lockdown.

Founder and chairman Dr Anthony Lovat said that when coronavirus hit Britain, Opro switched focus to producing facemasks as its markets – schools and contact sports – had disappeared overnight.

Within four weeks it had gone from concept to production and is now manufacturing 250,000 facemasks a week. As lockdown restrictions are eased, he said Britain will need more PPE to ensure the economy can reopen safely.

“Production is rising and we are able and ready to increase production.we’ve had the first wave of economic effects and don’t want a second,” Lovat said. “But to do that we need to bring the economy back safely. PPE is here to stay in the short-to-medium term and will play a huge part in getting the UK back on its feet.”

Many facemasks contain plastic and are not environmentally friendly. However Lovat said: “We’ll look into more carbonefficient materials.”

Opro also provides mouthguards to rugby teams in New Zealand and Australia, 11 Rugby Premiership sides, GB Hockey, GB Taekwondo and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.