Iconic Derbyshire firm supports NHS

Following an introduction by the investment team at Marketing Derby, historic Derbyshire-based clothing manufacturer John Smedley is working with Bondholder the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust to provide much-needed PPE.

John Smedley has opened a special area at its Lea Mills factory, dedicated to creating medical grade fabric scrub garments for the NHS, care homes and other businesses in need. Having sourced hospital-approved fabrics, a team of volunteer lock-stitchers, seamers and over-lockers have already produced the first batch of just over 1,000 pairs of scrubs.

Ian Maclean, Managing Director, said: "Despite not being cut-and-sew garment specialists, I am pleased to be able to turn our company’s skills into the useful production of hospital approved scrubs for the NHS and care homes. Covid-19 presents us all with huge challenges, and we are keen to play our part in meeting them, even in a small way."