The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 49: June/July 2020 | Page 13

7 NAMES FOR 7 WEEKS
Herbert
support businesses and administer grants
to 8,500 eligible businesses. To date over
£71m has been distributed to over 6,000
businesses and we have supported another
2,000 businesses with queries.
“Wiltshire has proven itself to be resilient
and we’ll build on that foundation, harness
the community spirit and face the upcoming
challenges, together.
“Behind the NHS, Wiltshire Council has
been, and continues to be, the second main
responder in the county to Covid-19. With our
responsibilities regarding social care, public
health, the economy, and our communities
and schools, we’ll also lead the recovery
process to get Wiltshire back on its feet
when social distancing begins to relax.
utherton
“We have tried to support everyone across
Wiltshire and want our communities to
know that the council is there during these
unprecedented times.
“We would like to thank our residents
and businesses for their support whether it
has been through following the government
guidance and staying at home to protect
lives, donating PPE to our services or
supporting a local community group. We
would also like to thank everyone for the
positive support they’ve given our staff. The
thank you notes and positive feedback have
been greatly appreciated.”
Christian Olenjnik
ie Southerton, co-owner
y Ltd and a part-time hairnd
thread. Debbie has been
nt to helping others includours
to keep on sewing.
cing rules have impacted
ors being the obvious one,
cts within the psychology
eeding close interaction.
the need to become virtual
tant, but also supporting
e have started recording some
s not to expect too much of
ple tasks of the day – good
t at this time.
roup called For The Love Of
had found access to PPE
ebook Group took off at such
ossible to navigate, other subual
confusion. I decided to
ver information I could find. I
o work, searching for fabric of
er said than done! I contacted
p me fund fabric for scrubs.
ew purpose too.
opping through the door and
d the task. Fabric was slow
asks with any scraps of fabric
perate for any form of PPE.
rrived and I have been sewing
sponsibility. I feel that if you
anything in life, then you have
sense of satisfaction knowing
elp those facing the virus
wing the scrubs is perhaps
ul, I need to give something
e, the comradery and doing
ve the sewing machine bug…
aps an additional business?
Christian Olejnik is Managing Director of Sweetnam &
Bradley in Malmesbury. The company was nominated
for developing and starting to manufacture a gadget to
help during the Covid-19 crisis. They were nominated by
people in their own community.
The manufacturing company was set up over 60 years ago
and is known as a market leader in sheet metal fabrication
and finishing. The company was bought out last year by
entrepreneur Nigel Roberts and is now part of the Megasteel
family. The day-to-day running is still handled by former
owner Christian (who is now the Managing Director) and
fellow Director Nigel Johnson.
Christian said, “As this situation developed we
brainstormed ideas of what would help people during this
time and the government was keen for manufacturing
companies to keep going. One thing which came up was the
fear around touching hard surfaces when we are out and
about as lockdown lifts. It could be door handles, doorbells,
drawers, an ATM – anything which requires the contact of
your hand when out and about in public. While washing
your hands often is advice we must all follow, it’s not always
practical if you are touching multiple hard surfaces.
“Nigel Roberts came in with prototypes and the final one
is the Koronagadget which is effectively an extension of your
hand. It’s safe to use, can be carried on your person easily as
it’s the size of a credit card. It’s just one way to help as we lift
from lockdown.
“We’ve been staggered by the interest so far and I think
because it’s so simple it just works. Our tagline ‘be touch
free’ just says all you need to know. We had orders for several
thousand from both the UK and overseas.”
The Koronagadget is made of steel and has a polyester
coating with antimicrobial properties and is selling for £12,
though discounts are available for bulk orders of 100 or more.
Companies can also have their logos put on their gadgets if
they wish. The gadget is also recyclable and Sweetnam and
Bradley are happy to take them back when used and they will
recycle them appropriately.
For more information visit:
www.sweetnam-bradley.com/koronagadget
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2020 7