Firm gowns up after its usual work dries up
AN Ashbourne manufacturing firm has been making the most of its coronavirus shutdown by switching its production from sportswear to scrubs and gowns.
R Silcock, which was enjoying a period of growth before the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, normally produces athletic vests and clothing for running clubs, school swimming wear and casual leisurewear – but when orders dried up at the start of the lock-down bosses set about tooling up their machines to produce PPE instead.
The firm, which employs 11 local people and has recently moved to larger premises in the Henmore Trading Estate, is now seeing orders coming in for scrubs, face protectors and gowns as demand surges for PPE.
A spokesman for R Silcock said: “At this time of the year we are usually busy with athletic vests for the many running meetings that take place in the spring and summer, together with school swimwear and festival clothing, all of which have taken a massive hit this year and are not taking place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“In mid March the factory was left with no option but to temporary close due to limited orders and the postponement of those already in the system.
“During these uncertain times we felt that we were in an ideal position to assist with the national shortage of PPE especially scrubs and gowns as we have the skills and equipment to produce the necessary garments.
“We put the company forward on the government site to offer support but nothing was forthcoming so we decided to offer our assistance on a voluntary basis locally.
“After hitting many obstacles and red tape while trying to supply the NHS the decision was taken to utilise the volunteer labour of some of the workforce in the factory to make scrubs, whilst other ladies were at home also donating their skills and time to other deserving groups that supplied many care homes.”
While the factory was closed, the company donated its first batch of 100 scrubs to local care homes and businesses, and it has now reopened to fill out a bumper order for face protectors.
Adhering to the government guidelines on working safely in factories, the firm’s workers will now be producing 1,500 non-medical face protectors for a private medical company which works with NHS mental health patients.
The face protectors are for the staff members when travelling to and from work to make them feel more confident about being in spaces where more people such as on public transport.
The spokesman said: “This will be a challenging year and we feel that we will have to write off the regular athletic club and festival work but hope to bounce back in the new year.”