A Derby catering equipment specialist has adapted all of its manufacturing operations to produce vital healthcare equipment to support the fight against COVID-19. Parry, which employs 65 people at its factory on Town End Road in Draycott, has responded to the national call to support key workers by increasing its output of stainless steel mobile wash basins, glove/mask dispensing units and knee operated sinks. The decision was taken after discussions with its workforce and staff have been working over the Easter period to produce orders for NHS Nightingale in Manchester, care homes, prisons and supermarkets. All of this production is being carried out in accordance with Government regulations on social distancing and the firm has also introduced a supply of PPE, staggered lunch breaks and more wash stations to ensure its staff remain safe. Mark Banton, Managing Director at Parry, commented: “As a lean and agile manufacturer, we were able to immediately switch our production from catering products to essential healthcare equipment, including vital wash basins that could be installed quickly in supermarkets, temporary hospitals or transport interchanges.

“One of our key strengths is our ability to customise designs to suit specific applications and our design engineers are currently talking to a number of clients about modifying products to help prevent the possibility of contamination.”

He continued: “We have value engineered our products so that they can be manufactured quickly and often despatched within a few working days. The work we have done in designing, manufacturing and delivering 14 drug dispensing tables for NHS Nightingale Manchester is a prime example.”

Parry, which has more than 40 years’ experience in supplying the commercial catering sector, had been developing its healthcare products over the past twelve months and has quickly expanded its range to meet the demands of the COVID-19 crisis. Orders for its mobile handwashing station, a freestanding unit ideal for an immediate hygienic set-up for washing, have been unprecedented thanks to its ability to be moved and used in numerous locations. All that is required is a permanent connection to a 13 amp plug to heat the water in the internal tank, with drain water contained in the body of the unit.

 Aesthetically designed and manufactured from high quality stainless steel, it is already found in many situations, from Harley Street Doctors and veterinary receptions to temporary hospitals and supermarkets.

 Mark concluded: “To be able to respond to the current situation whilst keeping the safety and welfare of our staff a priority is very important. It is an overused phrase, but our employees are genuinely our greatest asset and I am very grateful for their continued support in allowing Parry to play a small role in helping to save lives.”

 For more information, please visit www.parry.co.uk or follow us on twitter @parrycatering