COVID-19 has undoubtedly had an impact on the industry and Chepstow-based manufacturing business HJ Weir paused production operations at the end of March.

This left only a core workforce in operation to service existing deadline driven projects, provide technical support and service their spares department, ensuring that laundries, particularly those in healthcare settings and the NHS are supported during this testing time. At the end of April they re-started low scale production for all time critical new projects.

Supporting key workers within the NHS, HJ Weir successfully delivered and installed a complete ironer line in order for their service to continue and scale as demand increased. A complete line comprising a remanufactured Vacfeed 29, two roll steam heated ironer and a remanufactured Foldmaker 55 and Stacker. Utilising remanufactured equipment allowed delivery times to be reduced dramatically and provided the additional capacity they were desperate to achieve.

HJ Weir also announced they were proud to have been approved onto the catalogue of supplier offers through the Crown Commercial Service. In doing so, they’ve offered their skillset, manufacturing expertise, manpower, storage capacity and production facility for use in the fight against coronavirus. In doing so, they join thousands of businesses across the UK who are committed to supporting the country in its rehabilitation towards a new ‘normal’. With every challenge comes innovation and whilst speaking with their network of clients across the UK, it soon became apparent that concerns were shifting towards recovery plans and how business will look over the foreseeable future.

With staff safety of critical importance, and social distancing a likely challenge in a laundry environment, they have just released an addition to our product range, the ‘Operator Safety Screen’. This robust, portable screen allows up to six operators to work side by side, separated by clear screens, ensuring visibility and safety is maintained whilst providing a degree of social separation. Designed and manufactured in the UK, the product has received a huge amount of interest from the industry.