A VEGAN handwash company has worked to better protect its staff and ensure it maintains production during the coronavirus outbreak after teaming up with a regional business development agency.

Faith in Nature, which is based in Bury, supplies of soaps and handwash products to some of the UK's biggest suppliers ­— including Sainsbury's and Boots.

However, with the outbreak of Covid-19 and the surge in demand for handwashing products, the firm has sought to introduce measures to ensure the safety of its 70 staff members.

After putting in new procedures in line with Government guidance the firm sought further support from the GC Business Growth Hub.

The hub was launched in 2011 by Greater Manchester-based business development agency, The Growth Company, and provides services including one-to-one and peer-to-peer business support, events, specialist programmes and funding.

Through their collaboration, Jason McNeil, head of operations at Faith in Nature, worked with Matt Ward of the GC Business Growth Hub to better understand the challenges faced in implementing the necessary health and safety measures.

Among the changes introduced were measures to ensure all Faith in Nature's administrative staff switched to working remotely ­— with only essential staff present on site to continue the production of hand wash and soaps.

The firm has also temporarily suspended production of some of its beauty lines to help meet demand for soap and handwash.#

Bury Times:

Mr McNeil said: “Matt’s support has enabled us to continue production of our hand soap, helping to restock the shelves of major retailers during the crisis, while keeping our employees safe.

“The Hub has helped us to safeguard the jobs of our workforce and will see us continue operating under these new measures until June 2020, or for as long as the Covid-19 crisis continues.”

To help other businesses navigate the challenges posed by the coronavirus outbreak the GC Business Growth Hub has created a handy guide.

This manufacturing guide offers the latest information and advice on what steps business can take to protect themselves and their staff during the pandemic.

Geoff Crossley, senior business advisor at GC Business Growth Hub, said: “We’re delighted to have helped play a part in keeping Faith in Nature’s production of hand soaps running at this critical time, without putting their staff at any unnecessary risk.

“Greater Manchester’s manufacturers have had some difficult decisions to make in order to safeguard jobs as well as following government guidance and preventing the spread of coronavirus.

“Our guide helps business leaders work through some of the key challenges. The Hub is always ready to offer advice and support, as we did with Faith in Nature, who were already putting their procedures in place but were able to be confident that they were doing the right thing after speaking to Matt.”

For more information on the guide visit businessgrowthhub.com/manufacturing.