Pivoting in the pandemic

July 15th 2020

As the number of coronavirus cases across the globe grew and demand for PPE skyrocketed, people across the UK took to creating face masks, scrubs and visors in their spare time. At the same time, small-scale manufacturers also pivoted to help meet demand. We hear from a small business owner that went above and beyond to make sure essential services in their communities had access to vital protective equipment when early supply shortages were putting many frontline workers at risk.

Gary Thompson, founder, Jag Design
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Gary Thompson has built his business around championing innovation. Through Jag Design, he works with companies of all sizes – from early-stage entrepreneurs through to blue-chip firms – to develop and test new product ideas. “We’ve recently worked on an Innovate UK application for a new energy pod generation system, as well as a vertical farming and mushroom production scheme for vegans – it’s a varied job!”

So when the coronavirus outbreak led Gary to close Jag’s doors in March temporarily, he was best placed to put his product development experience to good use.
“I was amongst some of the earlier groups of people the government advised to shield at home as I’m being treated for a brain tumour,” he says. “So I’ve been isolating since February, but I didn’t want just to sit there twiddling my thumbs.

“I saw that a company in the Midlands, 3P Innovation, was doing a call-out for SME manufacturers to pivot to creating PPE face shields. I wanted to make sure that people here in Tyneside – like the doctor’s surgery that looks after me – could benefit from a similar initiative.”

“We’re excited about the new membrane in the mask, which removes about 99.85% of viruses.”

Thompson bought two 3D printers and set about producing face shields – which take between two and four hours to print – for local GP surgeries and care homes, as well as the Northumbria Police. To date, he’s donated roughly 150 visors to services in his local community.

As the population begins to adjust to the long-term impacts of the pandemic, Gary has now turned his attention to creating face masks for public use. Working with another local business, he has started developing a prototype mask using a new antibacterial material, which is currently in the testing phase.

“We’re excited about the new membrane in the mask, which removes about 99.85% of viruses,” says Gary. “And the masks will be reusable, which will ease pressure on the supply chain. We’ve agreed that half of the profit will cover the cost of manufacture and half will go to NHS Charities. Together to invest in developing new products going forward.”

Gary, who also advises SMEs through his work with Teesside University’s Grow Tees Valley programme, says that small businesses should take this moment to seize new opportunities: “Look at where your baseline is and look at what you can do using your own experience to pivot into markets that are seeing additional growth, by learning from other companies that are staying profitable during this period.”