Page 9 - BOSS Today Issue 48

SPECIAL REPORT BOSS Today #48

BOSS Today looks at the extraordinary recent demand for personal protective
equipment (PPE) and how BOSS is helping members to source it.

ne of the many things that the while social distancing rules have created
OCOVID-19 crisis will be remembered a new subcategory of products such as
for is that the demand for PPE – once floor tape and screens.”
largely the preserve of those working From a manufacturers’ point of view,
in healthcare or in handling hazardous there have of course been serious efforts
substances – suddenly became to increase and manage supply. George
ubiquitous and urgent. The recent gradual Elliott: Senior Application Engineer and
easing of lockdown has of course boosted Respiratory Specialist at 3M, the science-
demand further, with reopening UK based technology company, reports that “The growth in demand
businesses looking for PPE to safeguard “since the initial COVID-19 outbreak, 3M
employees’ contact with colleagues has doubled production of respirators to has been exceptional... The
and customers, and private consumers nearly 100 million per month at its global full cleaning range – from
being encouraged to wear face masks manufacturing facilities.” However,
or coverings in shops and on public Elliott is keen to point out that the deep cleaning products to
transport. company remains committed to directing everyday products – has
the vast majority of this capacity to
Booming PPE serving the healthcare and government seen massive increases”
The office products (OP) industry has of emergency response, with the remainder
course increasingly become involved in being reserved for deployment in other Simon McLoughlin,
this sector over recent years: the latest critical industries such as energy, food Buying Director,
Martin Wilde Associates/OPI State Of and pharmaceuticals. VOW Wholesale
The Industry survey found that 71% of
UK respondents reported that PPE/ Managing Supply
workwear/signage products were among Indeed, sourcing these much-needed
the fastest-growing product categories products has been problematic since the
through OP channels in 2019. very start of the outbreak, as McLoughlin
As Simon McLoughlin: Buying Director, recalls: “Initial challenges in China and
VOW Wholesale, explains, disposable PPE production centres like Hubei province
products and consumables have been created product shortages, followed
at the very heart of the growth: “The up by lockdowns and restrictions in
growth in demand has been exceptional: manufacturing centres globally.”
disposable clothing of all types, including There has been a variety of responses
masks and gloves etc, consumables such to this urgent restriction in supply: as
as sanitiser, wipes, and disinfectant we have seen, 3M is actively managing
sprays to ensure hygiene – specifically and prioritising both production and
hand hygiene. The full cleaning range – allocation of products, activating rapid Watch Simon discuss the latest
from deep cleaning products to everyday response teams to coordinate operations COVID-Secure Product Trends on
products – has seen massive increases, and ensure business continuity. our latest BOSS webinar.

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