This archive report was first published on 14 June 2020.
As the world slowly returns to work after the COVID-19 lockdown, a British company has come up with an innovative solution to keep staff safe: cardboard boxes.
According to Reuters, Pallite, a company based 70 miles northwest of London, has shifted its production from recyclable cardboard pallets and boxes to social distancing products, including free-standing screens, counter screens, and desk partitions.
Chief Executive Iain Hulmes explained that the company's products are designed to meet the new demands of the workplace in the wake of the pandemic. These include wall screens, desk and table dividers with clear polyester film windows, free-standing signs, and even pop-up desks for homeworkers.
One of the company's most popular products is the pop-up desk, which has sold over 5,000 units in just five weeks with nothing but five-star reviews. The desk is made from laminated honeycomb paper and can hold 50kg of weight, assembling in less than a minute.
Not far from Pallite's Wellingborough factory is Concept Conversions, who have also adopted the company's social distancing measures. Director Ralph Allen has been trying to have some fun with themes and colours while keeping his staff safe.
“It's pretty extreme to put your staff into cardboard boxes, so the reason for cutting the windows and trimming them in those colours was because I've got a Manchester United supporter sitting at my desk and I support Liverpool. Well, that could become Liverpool again couldn't it?” Allen said, referring to the red trim.
