CBI Northern Ireland calls for more ‘business heroes’

Local organisations, including Axial3D, Denroy Plastics, O’Neills Irish International Sports Company Ltd. and South Eastern Regional College, are continuing to help to protect lives and the economy from the effects of the pandemic.

The ‘business heroes’ campaign, launched by the CBI, urges firms to join the nationwide effort.

Examples include Axial3D, known for producing patient-specific 3D models for use in critical surgery planning, which is now supplying face shields, parts for Rapidly Manufactured Ventilator Systems and swabs for COVID-19 test kits. It has provided over 20,000 visors for health workers.

Meanwhile, Bangor business Denroy Plastics is part of a not-for-profit initiative named HeroShield which supplies NHS staff with face shields. Working with Crossen Engineering, it is producing more than 150,000 visors each week. Irish sportswear company O’Neills is also committed to supporting frontline healthcare employees. Despite furloughing staff, in March the firm rapidly transformed its production facilities in Strabane and Derry to deliver scrubs for health services across Ireland.

South Eastern Regional College (SERC) has also been hard at work, coordinating the donation of 19,000 gloves, 2,400 aprons and 1,000 masks, plus other key items, for care homes, hospitals and vulnerable people in the local community. Additionally, SERC is offering free online support to upskill businesses.

As the UK grapples with the pandemic, the CBI is helping coordinate the efforts of companies stepping forward to provide assistance where possible, from providing computers for pupils to PPE for health and care workers.

Angela McGowan, CBI Northern Ireland Director, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the support business heroes in Northern Ireland are providing to their local communities at this critical time. Here we have just a few examples, but there are many more. That’s why I’m calling on any businesses able to play a part in the fight against the pandemic to get in touch. The CBI is coordinating these much-needed efforts and helping firms to explore what they can do to make a difference.

“From NHS and social care staff to people carrying out essential work in food manufacture, Post Offices and delivery services, workers are stepping up to the plate to shield society from the worst effects of the crisis, as is Government.

“Businesses recognise the key role they can play as well, and we are working with them to find practical solutions to the challenges caused by the pandemic.”

Kieran Kennedy, O’Neills Managing Director, said: “I have been through challenging times for business, including recessions, Brexit and the Troubles, but I have never had to deal with such a fast changing and far reaching challenge. I was aware of the demand for PPE as it was highlighted in the media, and when I got a sample set of scrubs, I knew right away that we had the capability to produce them in Strabane.

“I am so proud of our team, the values we live by in O’Neills are loyalty, flexibility, commitment and passion and it’s these values that are driving the team through their greatest ever challenge.

“This is an international emergency, we are doing all we can to help and we have been working with a small number of other businesses who are stepping up to assist the healthcare sector by adapting their manufacturing processes to make PPE. The innovation and drive of indigenous SMEs is inspiring, and I will do everything I can to support them.”

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