This article first appeared in the Irish Independent on 23 October 2020.

Leslie Brett and Padraig Callan of Lennox speak about the increased demand for PPE and share their tips on PPE for schools and other large facilities

“We have always sold PPE as part of our portfolio for our customers, as there are certain environments that require it, for example laboratories,” says Leslie Brett, CEO of Lennox, Ireland’s longest established supplier of personal protective equipment.

However, Leslie says that from March of this year, demand increased from sectors that had never previously required PPE. “We have tripled the number of people that are working on PPE since March, in response to the increased demand. We have increased the capacity of the delivery fleet and our range of PPE products by about 50pc.

“There was initially a shortage of products, but our team shortened our supply chains to ensure we had what our customers needed. It has been incredibly busy, but we all pulled together as a team.”

Expertise

Founded in 1923, Lennox delivers best-in-class scientific, manufacturing, production and laboratory solutions, by combining 100 years of experience with technical expertise. The company, which has sites in Dublin and Cork, works with customers operating across sectors in Ireland including pharma, bioprocessing, food and beverage, medical devices, higher education, agri-business, life science, R&D, hospitals, biotechnology and independent laboratories.

Some of their PPE products include hand sanitiser units and refills, disposable and reusable masks, thermometers, gloves, aprons, disinfectants and disposal equipment. Leslie says it has always been a priority to ensure that their products meet quality standards.

“Many people may not be aware of the rigorous standards needed that need to be met for PPE to be effective. We often come across and reject PPE products that do not reach those standards — from misleading or missing labels on products such as hand sanitiser to inadequately-certified masks.

Our PPE is in strict compliance with European Quality Standards and Irish government guidance. As winter sets in and numbers rise, it’s more important than ever that those standards are met.”

Lennox products are used by the education sector, frontline health workers, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, An Garda Siochána and the Department of Justice and Equality, among others.

One factor such large industries or businesses can feel confused about is how much PPE supplies they should order for their staff. Padraig Callan, Head of Business Development at Lennox, advises: “Whether you’re organising PPE for a business, a school or a college, your first port of call should be to talk to your PPE supplier.

“Once we know the number of people we need to supply PPE for and the products required, we can advise on the amount that should be ordered and how often.”

Dedicated service

Lennox Educational is the company’s dedicated arm for their education customers. For schools and third-level institutions, Lennox has developed a handy PPE Quick Pick form, which includes a dedicated calculator based on Department of Education recommendations. Padraig says, “If schools input certain parameters around student numbers and staff members, for example, they can calculate the amount of PPE they will need for a defined period of time.”

This facility is available at lennoxeducational.ie. “We have been working with the education sector in Ireland since 1963, supplying scientific and lab supplies to schools and third-level institutions across the country.

“Since schools started preparing to return, we have also been supplying the PPE needed to protect faculty and students in the classroom.”

Leslie Brett says companies come to Lennox because they are trustworthy,

“They appreciate the level of expertise that we have. Most of our team have science and engineering backgrounds. They know what to look for when it comes to sourcing the highest quality PPE possible, and what products work best for each industry.

“We know that purchasing PPE is a whole new world for many, but it is one that looks set to stay. We aim to make the process as easy and painless as possible so that our customers have peace-of-mind.”