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COVID-19: The Furniture Industry Responds

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on daily life in the UK, and that includes the way that the furniture and retail industries operate.
We’ve been inspired by stories about these suppliers and retailers that are using their resources to help the NHS combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

SUPPLIERS

Westbridge Furniture are among the latest to sign up to support the NHS, beginning production of up to 15,000 gowns a day over a 14-week period for the NHS.

GNG Group have already manufactured 16,000 medical mattresses for the NHS, having been awards Key Supplier Status, and will continue to operate 6 days a week, as well as offering support to local charities including Help4Heroes.

Lebus Upholstery have been producing scrubs for the NHS through the ‘For the Love of Scrubs’ group, creating PPE for frontline workers in north Lincolnshire.

Breasley is manufacturing a variety of specialist equipment including hospital mattresses, trolleys, operating table foams, cushions and positional aids for the NHS and health services in Italy and Germany.

Millbrook Beds have been busy with their factory and fleet remaining operational throughout the outbreak, producing over 1,000 medical beds, scrubs and more for the NHS and MOD.

The Vita Group has been ramping up production of medical foam grades, as well as manufacturing over 8,000 medical mattresses.

RETAILERS

The Leekes Group has adapted space for hospital beds, and begun producing hand sanitiser, while some stores begin partial reopening.

Barker & Stonehouse are supporting their local community in Teesside by helping to deliver prescription medications.

John Lewis has reopened its Lancashire textiles factory to make gowns for the NHS, and is also donating 20,000 metres of fabric to the ‘For the Love of Scrubs’ and ‘Scrubs Glorious Scrubs’ groups.

Dunelm has repurposed its curtain production factory to produce gowns for the NHS. The company has also resumed all deliveries.

Made.com and DFS have provided items for over 160 NHS breakrooms across the UK, donating sofas, bean bag chairs, crockery, sheets and more to make the rooms more comfortable.

M&S is running several initiatives, including donating uniforms and food deliveries to NHS staff, pyjamas, and care packages for discharged patients.

We know that this is barely scratching the surface of businesses that have helped in the fight against COVID-19, so if you know of another, please let us know so we can add them to our list!

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