Bondloc switches half production to hand sanitiser
Adhesive and sealant manufacturer Bondloc UK has switched 50 per cent of its production facility to manufacture hand sanitiser to help meet the national demands amid the coronavirus crisis.
Bewdley-based Bondloc has supplied adhesives and sealants to the industrial, engineering and automotive sectors for more than 25 years.
Founder and co-owner Mark Adams said: “We originally started manufacturing engineering adhesives for JCB, offering them a better solution to increase their productivity. This helped Bondloc become a major player in the engineering adhesive market, putting the Bondloc brand on the world map. Our products are sold in over 30 countries supplying to some of the biggest names in the industry.”
Joint owner Warren Wilkinson added: “Our business has gone from strength to strength, employing over 30 staff at the Bewdley Business Park site and manufacturing products that are sold in over 500 businesses across the globe.
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“In terms of the effect of Covid-19, we knew the lockdown was going to have an impact on our business and the demand for our core adhesive ranges, so when an existing customer enquired about hand sanitiser we decided to evaluate how feasible it was for us to produce it.
“Within a week we had a proven and tested 75 per cent alcohol formulation conforming to WHO and EN12791. By recycling our slow moving packaging we were able to react immediately to the increasing demand and supply quickly.
"I’m super proud of what the team at Bondloc has achieved in such a short space of time. We owe our survival to firstly our customers and our dedicated employees who make the business what it is today. We thank them all.”
Rachael Glover-Winfield, head of accommodation services at Rethink Mental Illness said: “Due to the Covid-19 outbreak we were struggling to obtain hand sanitiser for our accommodation and nursing services across the UK. When I heard Bondloc had started to produce it locally I contacted them immediately to see if they could supply us directly.
"Not only did they oblige but they consulted with us on packaging options to ensure our needs were met effectively. It’s ensured our teams are as safe as they can be and they can continue to provide safe support during this difficult time. We can’t thank them enough.”
Bondloc has supplied more than 150,000 bottles of hand sanitiser over the last six weeks and has just launched a new range of automatic dispensing units for offices, retail and commercial settings as well as bringing alcohol surface and hand wipes to enhance the range further.
Mr Adams said: “During and after this crisis everybody will be more conscious of hand sanitising going about their daily routine; at work, eating out, driving, going to the cinema or the gym, and we are keen to support this shift change by evolving future sanitising products that help keep both the workplace and communities safe.”
