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25
May 2020
The Ripon business that hopes gadgets to open doors will help it survive
A Ripon business that was dealt a blow when coronavirus arrived is ready to bounce back.
U NAME IT Promotions of Sycamore Business Park, which makes customised promotional goods, lost 90 percent of its business almost overnight, as the coronavirus crisis brought an abrupt shut-down to the majority of sectors that it supplies into.
To save the company, owner Grant Ashworth, had to furlough all members of his team, and diversify into supplying a range of 'back to business' products that will help existing and new customers to re-open their doors.
One new product - a contactless tool (pictured above) - can literally be used to open doors without involving hand to surface contact and can also be used on keypads, such as those found at cash machines.
The new range includes office cleaning and hygiene packs, face masks and no touch keyrings - all designed to make the work environment safe for returning employees.
Mr Ashworth, who has successfully built the business over the past 19 years, told the Stray Ferret:
In addition, he applied for and was successful in obtaining a government-backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan whilst he has been running the company single-handed:
Mr Ashworth pointed out:
The first of the U NAME IT employees that have been furloughed, will return next month and Mr Ashworth hopes sales of the usual promotional items that the company sells to a loyal customer base, will steadily return as the economy gets back into a more normal pattern of activity
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