Labour leader, Keir Starmer, praises Alexandra for role in supporting NHS during pandemic
December 2020
The UK’s leading workwear company, Alexandra, has been praised by Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer for its role in equipping and protecting frontline workers, with items such as disposable face masks, during the Covid-19 crisis.
Sir Keir was joined by Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Bridget Phillipson, on a ‘virtual’ visit to the company which has transformed its operations since March.
During the first wave of the pandemic, the demand for NHS scrubs rose by 600 per cent in a week – up from 22,000 to 130,000 items – as hospitals throughout the country struggled to cope with the influx of Coronavirus patients.
The company – based at Thornbury, near Bristol – turned its operations around in a matter of weeks, with over 90 per cent of manufacturing capacity in its UK and international factories being switched to producing scrubs for the NHS.
Alexandra also marshalled and expanded its extensive supply chain network to source millions of pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks, nitrile gloves and aprons to support frontline NHS and care workers.
In a Zoom call with Alexandra’s leading figures, Sir Keir praised the ‘incredible’ efforts of its workforce during the crisis and said: “Those who are on the frontline need the protective clothing you are producing and could not do what they are doing without you doing what you do.”
The recognition comes after Alexandra this month received a prestigious, national Supply Chain Excellence award for the company’s response to the pandemic.
Martin Lyne, Managing Director of Alexandra said: “It is a privilege to be recognised by Sir Keir Starmer and Bridget Phillipson for our contribution to helping the UK navigate this crisis, and we were delighted to be able to share the story of our efforts.”
“Adapting the way we supported our customers was critical. We drew on the resilience and expertise of our supply chain whilst introducing near shore partners to further assure product continuity. We innovated both in new product design and in creating virtual sizing experiences. None of this could be possible without the hard work of our staff whom I am immensely proud.”
Alexandra, part of the MiHub group, has been designing and manufacturing garments since 1854 and is the UK’s leading supplier of uniforms to the healthcare, hospitality, catering, and other industries.
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