RCT Council thanks Rhondda company for supplying visors for key workers
The Council has thanked a Rhondda company for its hard work which has helped provide our frontline staff with 10,000 protective visors so far – with a further 20,000 units currently on order.
Screentec Ltd, based in Ferndale, approached the Council at the start of the Coronavirus national emergency, outlining its capability to mass produce this vital equipment which is in huge demand. The Council has received the first substantial order and the equipment is now being used by key staff – particularly in the care sector – to reduce their risk of contracting the virus.
The Rhondda-based company has been manufacturing plastic products for 23 years, usually in the advertising and marketing sectors. Like many other businesses however, the onset of the national emergency saw its orders drop considerably, with more than half of its 24 staff placed on furlough in order to keep the business afloat.
Tom Dean, Managing Director of Screentec Ltd, said: “It was at that point when we saw the Welsh Government’s call for PPE, and also that the Royal Mint had made some prototypes – and we thought, we have the ability to make those. We sent a sample to the Council who were very keen to get a store of supplies. It was a case of how many we could make, and by when.
“We then started producing around 4,000 a day, and half of the staff who we’d placed on furlough could come back. We've also created a number of new jobs to help meet customer demands. All materials we are using can be cleaned, so can be re-used. We’re selling them at as low a cost as we possibly can at this moment.”
Tom also praised his staff for their efforts: “The staff have been tremendous – they really are unsung heroes, as their work is helping to look after our frontline workers, who are rightly been widely applauded. It’s great to see all of these people stepping up and doing their bit at this moment in time.”
Since securing orders from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Screentec Ltd has gone on to secured orders from Cardiff and Powys County Borough Councils.
Councillor Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Housing, added: “Local companies such as Screentec Ltd have been vital in helping the Council’s widespread response to the Coronavirus national emergency – ensuring we have a large supply of equipment to protect our staff on the frontline. Key workers across a number of services, including the care sector, are now benefitting from this.
“I’d like to thank Tom and his team in Ferndale for working so hard alongside our procurement department to help supply us with thousands of high-quality, protective visors – especially at a time when the demand across Wales and beyond is so high. It’s also great how, in this time of adversity, the company has been able to utilise its manufacturing capability for this cause – and to ensure vital local employment is now continuing when it is needed most."
