A vape company has pivoted its focus to producing hand sanitiser and partnered with the NCA (National Care Association) to provide personal protective equipment to frontline workers in the UK.
Vape Dinner Lady has restructured one of its production lines in Blackburn and created 24 new positions to produce hand sanitiser to meet high demand from workers working during the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to producing disinfectants, VDL also leveraged its extensive supply network to import thousands of bottles of hand sanitizer, masks and protective gear in line with WHO standards to meet immediate needs.
“We recognise this is a time when we need to support, especially small businesses in the care sector who are often overlooked in large-scale donations,” said VDL CEO Mohammed Patel.
“Together with the NCA, we will support those struggling at this time in the best way we can. We are concerned about the NCA, particularly those working in private care homes across the country, and really want to help.”
“Using our extensive supply network, VDL will ensure that the support products we have are ready to reach the front lines and those who really need them,” added VDL marketing director John Taylor.
VDL will be prioritising the donation of 10,000 bottles of hand sanitiser to frontline healthcare workers working in care homes within the NCA network. This is important as experts believe that, even after the coronavirus pandemic ends, hand sanitiser use will become a daily habit.
Nadra Ahmed OBE has been President of the NCA since 2001 and has been involved in community care for 35 years.
“All forms of PPE are essential for frontline workers fighting coronavirus and demand across the UK is skyrocketing,” she said. “We expect demand for this product to continue to rise over the next few months, if not years. We believe that at this time, it is not just workers who need sanitiser, but also personal use that needs to be taken into account.”
So we are delighted to receive this generous donation from Vape Dinner Lady – it provides insurance and comfort to healthcare workers across the country at a time when their role in supporting the public is more important than ever.
The Blackburn production line was retooled in just a few days and can now produce 10.5 million bottles of hand sanitiser a year (with a market value of £26 million). Unprecedented demand has led to 24 full-time positions and orders from distributors nationwide.
