A CO Down healthcare company has expanded in response to demand for personal protective equipment (PPE).
Newtownards-based HealthCare Essentials Ltd said it had has employed more staff and increased its warehouse and office space in response to the growth of its division, NI-PPE.com.
The company, which operates from the Ards Business Hub, said it had experienced a surge in demand for contactless thermometers, face coverings, masks, gloves, aprons, goggles, face visors and hand sanitiser.
Managing director Mark Dinemore said the firm launched a new e-commerce platform to supply healthcare professionals, organisations and individuals across Ireland and the UK.
He said the Covid-19 pandemic had exposed the previous supply chain model, putting new emphasis on the importance of local suppliers.
“As a company we have adopted to the growth in demand for PPE by investing to increase our capacity,” he said.
“We have seen a marked growth in demand from local businesses and education sectors as well as our long-standing healthcare clients.
“Our team are working to ensure local organisations and individuals have the right PPE equipment to mitigate risk as the economy starts to reopen for business,” added the managing director.
HealthCare Essentials Ltd has traded from Ards Business Hub for the past 12 years.
The hub’s chief executive, Nichola Lockhart said: “NI-PPE.com is an innovative company that is adapting quickly to new circumstances to provide an online retail platform to provide vital equipment to help fight the Covid-19 crisis.
“We have been delighted to provide whatever service we can including offering extra office space to enable them to increase their sales.”
