Leamington print firm now making coronavirus PPE to help businesses get back to work

A Leamington printing firm hit hard by the coronavirus is now helping businesses get their staff back to work.

High street stalwart Prontaprint would normally be creating artwork and print for summer festivals at this time of year.

But following the collapse in events it has swiftly changed tack and is now producing personal protection equipment such as face masks, plastic till screens and vinyl graphics to help maintain social distancing in shops and offices.

The company, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year, has launched a dedicated new website to offer the products direct to business and consumers.

Director Tadhgh (Tig) Martin said: “During the lockdown we have been working hard to put together PPE and social distancing information for workplaces and retailers.

“It is things like face masks, countertop screens for tills and reception desks, floor vinyls, posters and literature for office spaces and warehouses.

“Our usual demand for event literature and corporate print has gone out of the window with summer events being postponed and many of our local businesses currently shut, so we are adapting.

“We have A-boards for pavements and floor vinyls giving a clear message to staff and retail customers before they enter premises about where people should be going.

“These are printed to order. We are working with some big companies who want their brand colours and logos.

“The government doesn’t want people purchasing medical grade PPE kit, so we are producing personal grade items.

“We have had high demand from existing customers over the past 48 hours as they do risk assessments for a return to work.

“With construction companies, we usually print their plots and plans, whereas now we are selling them face masks for use on site that are reusable and machine washable.

“We want to support as many people working in the local area as possible. We are all in the same position. so if we can help retail and other sectors get back to some form of work it is good for everyone.”

Prontaprint, which has a sales office in Warwick Street, has a production hub in Stratford Upon Avon. It would normally be producing promotional material for indoor and outdoor theatre events, food and motoring festivals and school open days, as well as servicing their professional sector and corporate clients

“Business has been massively affected,” said Tadhgh. “We haven’t had to lay anybody off but we have furloughed about 50 per cent of our staff. As businesses return we can bring people back.

“We have tried to keep as functional as possible. We have split shifts to limit the number of people actually on site and we are doing longer working hours during the day, with two teams.”

Visit www.prontaprintbuyonline.com