Over the past weeks, DS Smith has been playing a role to support the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic alongside partners including Ventilator Challenge UK, Chivas Brothers and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The company was selected as the provider of choice to deliver packaging for the safe transit of the first government approved ventilator which is being produced by the Ventilator Challenge UK consortium.
Rosa Wilkinson, Communications Director at Ventilator Challenge UK commented, “We would like to express our thanks to DS Smith for its support in this project. Its speed and agility to design, manufacture and supply a packaging solution for the safe delivery of these ventilators was critical.”
This time sensitive project involved a number of different materials including three different sized boxes, labels, strapping kits and pallets as well as the co-ordinated production from multiple sites.
In addition, the company has donated thousands of boxes to organisations to contribute towards their important community initiatives during the pandemic. The donations have helped essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) items to be delivered to NHS frontline staff. In one initiative, DS Smith donated 2,400 boxes free of charge to Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky business of Pernod Ricard, which has produced and distributed thousands of litres of hand sanitiser to social care providers and charities across Scotland.
Liam Donegan, Manufacturing Director at Chivas Brothers commented, “It has never been more important to come together as a community, especially to help the most vulnerable and at-risk amongst us. We want to thank DS Smith for its support. Its generosity and speed from enquiry to delivery made this time-sensitive project all the more possible.”
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has also been quick to utilise its capabilities for the production of kits for visors and protective gowns to be delivered to NHS frontline staff. The company is working with almost 1000 sewing volunteers – including a seamstress who is over 90 years old – to help in the national effort to beat the Covid-19 pandemic. To support the initiative, DS Smith was approached to supply a suitable packaging solution to transport the kits to hospitals, which the company donated free of charge. For maximum efficiency, the boxes provided were tailored to ship lightweight products and easy to seal with tape. Made out of corrugated paper that is 100% recyclable it also provides an eco-friendly solution for the movement of these essential items.
“It’s a privilege to be collaborating so closely with our clients at this time; individually playing our part and collectively making a difference. I’m proud that DS Smith is leading the way with the critical support we’re providing to our partners with design-led packaging solutions,” commented Chris Murray, UK and Ireland Managing Director at DS Smith.
