A new portal has been launched for manufacturers to offer to build parts or supply eight urgently needed items during the COVID-19 health crisis.

The eight items include: 

  • hand sanitiser
  • handwash
  • soap
  • gloves
  • cleaning products
  • protective clothing
  • masks 
  • eyewear
  • paper products.  

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said of the new scheme: “This is a call to arms for NSW manufacturers to look at ways to convert production lines into making the items we so desperately need.” 

“We have the ability within NSW to meet our local demand and the Government is moving to help manufacturers re-tool quickly to achieve this.”

This opportunity will not only fill a much needed gap in critical supplies depleted by COVID-19, but will allow some businesses to keep their employees on the job for longer when they may not have been able to. 

The portal will be used to connect the supply chain with the manufacturers finished product, so more can be distributed when it becomes available. 

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “This is an opportunity for businesses to not only diversify their supply but produce incredibly important products for our state in a time of need.” 

Businesses who can provide, manufacture or retool to manufacturer the products in short supply can register their interest here. 

A call to arms 

Examples of business pivoting to meet this new demand have been cropping up across NSW. Local alcohol makers are producing hand sanitiser with their waste product, while other businesses have switched their production to face masks, providing much-needed equipment while keeping their business going and safeguarding jobs.

The sentiment has spread across the country in recent weeks. In South Australia, packaging company Detmold Group will employ an additional 160 workers at their Bromptom plant in Adelaide to produce respirator and surgical masks.

In Western Australia, cricket legend Shane Warne’s gin company SevenZeroEight has halted production of the alcohol and switched to producing medical grade, 70% alcohol hand rub for the foreseeable future.  

Holden Special Vehicles, located in Melbourne’s south-east have also volunteered their production facility to help with the manufacture of emergency items to help fight the impact of COVID-19. 

My Business is on hand with a range of resources to help your businesses navigate this difficult time, with practical advice and information to help you develop strategies to maintain and sustain. Visit our resource hub to find out more.