Altrad respond decisively to avoid a COVID-19 crisis

Lucite International is a global leader in the design, development and manufacture of acrylic-based products, who operate a large manufacturing site in Billingham, North East England.

Altrad recently commenced a shutdown at the site; an event which requires around 200 Altrad people to be mobilised, with a further 400 additional people on site from other organisations.

Having reviewed the published information from Public Health England, Altrad have designed and implemented a standard operating procedure, coupled with a guidance note detailing the controls and actions to be taken to provide a safe working environment across all of its offices and facilities.

On Thursday 1^st October, upon commencement of the shutdown, a member of the management team contacted Altrad confirming he was unwell and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. Under the Test and Trace guidelines, other members within the management team were contacted on Saturday 3rd October and were required to enter a period of self-isolation.

To overcome this development, the Altrad team worked tirelessly over the weekend to mobilise a replacement management team by 7:00am the following Monday. Remote IT equipment was also deployed to members of the team who were required to self-isolate in order to help facilitate a smoother transition for the management change.

Dave Irving, Director of Shutdowns, commented,

Just as we think we appreciate the full impacts of COVID-19 – we get a challenge which reminds us to always plan for the unexpected. The response from the team demonstrates the scale and depth of the resources available from Altrad, and I wish to thank each and every one of them for their support, which was there when we needed it most.

The feedback received from the client has been hugely complimentary, including statements from site leadership suggesting Altrad have ‘performed a miracle’, a remarkable feat considering the issue arose on day 2 of a 21-day shutdown.”