Carrickfergus firm sees surge in demand for Covid-19 signage and PPE

Beyond Signage, founded in 2009 by Philip Carmichael and David Foster, produces signage and wayfinding solutions for large trade and corporate clients, including the NHS, the Education Authority in Northern Ireland, Applegreen and a portfolio of shopping centres.

According to David, demand for its Covid-19 signage has come from a much broader spectrum of businesses since the onset of the pandemic.

“Things have just been crazy over the past few weeks,” he said.

“We have received literally tens of thousands of enquiries for window stickers, street signs and floor graphics carrying crucial Covid-19 safety messages for shops and businesses of all sizes and from all sectors.

“We did completely lock down for the first few weeks and are now in the process of looking at the options to phase back some of our staff to work to keep up with demand.

“Prior to the lockdown we also donated a range of signs and vinyl graphics to small businesses and care homes in the local area, as well as Covid-19 window stickers for the homes of some of the most vulnerable in our community. We are now going to begin working through the donations and orders that are on backlog.”

Mr Foster continued: “Even when the lockdown measures are eased, social distancing and other Covid-19 safety precautions will continue to be in place for quite some time, so we are seeing companies starting to plan accordingly for their signage requirements in the longer term.

“We are in the process of closing out a number of large Covid-19 signage orders for several organisations, including an international charity with over 150 stores across the whole of Ireland and a national sports brand.”

Driven by mounting requests from new and existing clients for PPE (personal protective equipment), Beyond Signage is also putting plans in place to diversify into the production of face shields and countertop screens to protect workers in supermarkets, pharmacies and independent stores.

“We have the machinery and resources to produce large quantities of PPE and signage, so we are actively looking at converting part of our 8000 sq ft factory specifically for this purpose,” Mr Foster explained.

“It’s a slow process as all face shield manufacturers have to achieve EN166 accreditation to ensure their products are safe and fit for purpose but are well along the journey to achieving this.

“While our fleet of wide format digital printers continue to service signage work, we will turn our state-of-the-art CNC machinery to the production of protective shields and screens. We have also requested assistance from various government schemes for help to purchase laser cutting machinery that will quadruple our output of face shields.”

The company said the level of support received from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council through its Amplify Business Escalator programme in recent weeks has been “a huge help”.

“The council really couldn’t have been more helpful during the pandemic,” David continued.

“Our client manager there, Barbara Orr, has been a fantastic support and assigned us a specialist business consultant, who has been working closely with us to generate leads for new business in the Republic of Ireland, especially for large quantities of PPE.”

In a joint statement, the council’s group party leaders, said: “Beyond Signage is just one of many companies across Mid and East Antrim to have benefited from support via our Amplify programme in recent weeks.

“As well as supporting our SMEs to navigate through the current challenges posed by COVID-19, we are preparing for the new economic landscape post lockdown and have provided expert guidance to support Beyond Signage with its longer-term business development strategy.

“Through 1:1 mentoring support like this and a range of other services, we are helping firms in the borough to proactively plan for the ‘new normal’ – from preparing robust financial plans and business recovery strategies, to developing effective and efficient ways to service their existing customers and new markets in the months ahead.”

For more information about the Amplify programme, visit: https://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/covid-19/supporting-ourmea-businesses/sme

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