North East safety equipment supplier reports busiest two months ever

A family business that specialises in workplace clothing and equipment has reported its busiest two months in its 50 years of trading.

CaswellsGroup, based in Billingham, has seen orders for personal protective equipment (PPE) and hygiene products “skyrocket” during COVID-19 crisis.

CaswellsGroup also received grant support through Tees Valley Business, which allowed it to expand its embroidery service to prepare reusable face masks.

David Roebuck, finance manager at CaswellsGroup, commented: “We’ve had an incredibly busy couple of months, including broadening our customer base to supply the NHS and blue light services and adapting our branding department to start producing masks.

“Caswells has always been run on ethical principles – we believe in treating customers and suppliers fairly – and that’s why we’ve been so successful in keeping supply lines open, where others have maybe struggled.

“We’ve now supplied nearly 1,000,000 masks and visors and more than 100,000 litres hand gels in the last eight weeks.

“We’re very humbled to be playing an important role in the response to this virus.

“We’re expecting a second wave of demand when the lockdown measures begin to relax and firms will begin to go back to work. It’s then that we’ll need even more face masks and PPE to keep people safe.

“We’ve now created a stockpile to meet that demand.”

Tees Valley Business growth consultant Neil MacGillivray added: “CaswellsGroup is a fantastic business that has shown the power in forging strong supplier relationships – rising to the present challenge when others haven’t been able to.

“The staff at CaswellsGroup have worked tirelessly to make sure the organisations that need it most have received the equipment they need.

“Tees Valley Business works with many small and medium-sized businesses that are bursting with great ideas and potential – we help them realise that potential.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Businesses like CaswellsGroup have been invaluable in the response to this virus. It is my number one priority to make sure they get the help and support they need throughout this unprecedented national emergency.

“The determination and creativity of people like the Caswells team are what makes Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool so great, and through Tees Valley Business we’re proud to be helping so many of them set out on the road to success.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →