Prison furniture company’s escape from threat of virus
A specialist manufacturer of prison furniture has undergone reform process after diversifying during the pandemic.
Durham Retail Displays (DRD)– a Ministry of Justice approved designer, manufacturer and installer of prison and custodial furniture–saw orders grind to a halt during the pandemic.
Prior to the crisis, the company – based on the Hertburn Industrial Estate in Washington– had outlined ambitions of exceeding the £1 min turnover in 2020/21, but was forced to roll out an emergency business plan after being unable to visit sites and fulfill orders.
Founded three years ago by managing director, Shaun Allen, DRD’s furniture is manufactured using materials that ensure it is fire resistant, unable to be vandalised and reject bacteria, fungal and insect attack.
It is used in prisons and police stations all over the country.
Shaun said: “We were deemed as essential workers and carried on working but, by the end of march, our workshop was piling up because we couldn’t get into prisons to install them due to the virus.
“We then received a call from a police authority to ask if we manufactured transparent screens.
"We’ d only ever produced one so I came into work, made a secure screen, and sent it off.
"Not only did it protect from the virus but it was also smash proof.
“We fitted it and have since received orders from police stations up and down the country.”
He added: “Not only has this allowed us to continue operating during the pandemic, albeit at a reduced capacity, but it has also helped us expand our product offering .”
The firm employs 10 people.
Durham Retail Displays’ development has been supported by Sunderland City Council.
CllrGraeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said :“This company has been able to develop new product lines to see it through this challenging period but also play a key role in keeping our essential workers safe.
"We’ re proud to have been able to support them on their journey.”