Burberry donates 150,000 pieces of PPE after factory overhaul

Luxury retailer Burberry has donated 150,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the NHS after re-tooling its factory .
Burberry in Castleford.Burberry in Castleford.
Burberry in Castleford.

Burberry’s trench coat factory operations in Castleford closed in March and the site has been re-purposed to manufacture non-surgical gowns.

Following the Covid-19 outbreak, the factory has switched from making high-end luxury goods to manufacturing PPE for medical and care workers.

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Burberry said its employees are proud to be able to contribute to the Covid-19 relief efforts.

Richard Taylor, who works in continuous improvement at Burberry, said: “We decided that we’d start making much needed garments for the NHS.

“So we’ve had to totally rework the factory so that it’s safe for people to be working here. We had to rework all the lines and move machinery around. It’s really made me feel like I’m making a massive difference to the community, to the country. I couldn’t be any prouder.”

Burberry assistant team leader Dawn said: “Everything is just exactly the same as if we were making a trench coat.

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“You just feel so amazing. When I go home, it’s so rewarding, knowing that I’ve just done my little bit to help.”

In line with Burberry’s social distancing and enhanced health and safety measures, no more than 200 employees can be on site at Castleford at any one time.

The firm is also sourcing surgical masks through its supply chain and supplying them to the NHS and charities such as Marie Curie, which provides nursing care for families living with terminal illness.

Burberry’s chief executive, Marco Gobbetti, said like all businesses the company will need to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said: “It will take time to heal but we are encouraged by our strong rebound in some parts of Asia and are well-prepared to navigate this period.”