Barrier to success wins

A GOLD Coast company that has transformed itself during the COVID-19 crisis has won a major award for its efforts.

Burleigh Heads-based GCD Exhibitions has pivoted away from its traditional role of building world-class expo display stands to now creating a range of COVID-19 safety products.

Managing director Craig Billett said the pandemic had impacted his business terribly and forced the company to look for another market niche.

“When the COVID-19 restrictions were first put in place, our revenue dropped to zero because all events were cancelled,” Mr Billett said.

“When COVID-19 hit, our initially decision was to stand down all of our staff.

“Immediately we refocused and developed a new revenue plan for the business, diversifying our asset base into manufacturing COVID-19 safety barriers and other COVID-19 related products.”

Mr Billett said another factor that enabled the company to keep going was the JobKeeper program, which was helping 20 staff.

“Rather than shutting up shop completely, we employed our staff to work shorter hours to build a new division of the business, called Business from

a Distance,” he said. GCD Exhibitions now manufactures hygienic barriers and sneeze guards, supplies COVID-19 signage and graphics, barriers in businesses to keep social distancing in place and a wide range of COVID-19 supplies for businesses.

“We are now working with a lot of companies to help with their COVID-19 safe plans to ensure they can get up and operating as soon as possible,” he said.

“For example, we have been working together with numerous clubs and have now created and manufactured acrylic COVID-19 hygiene barriers that are placed between poker machines to help with social distancing regulations.

“These are custom designed for hotels and clubs to comply with the new health regulations.

“The clear acrylic barriers are manufactured with graphics on them to also provide responsible gambling information.”

For its efforts, GCD Exhibitions was named the winner of the Manufacturing Award at the Gold Coast Business Excellence for July. The presentation, held at the Southport Yacht Club on Wednesday night, was the first awards presentation of the year.