Peter Gibson MP has praised Cepac for joining businesses from across the UK in a collective push to help the country and its most vulnerable citizens pull through the Coronavirus crisis. 

Cepac, the UK’s leading independent corrugated packaging producer, has donated boxes to enable a local support hub in Darlington to deliver vital food parcels to local vulnerable residents. The Cepac Group is maintaining essential production for all vital customers across all sites, while prioritising the health & safety of all staff.

Cepac Darlington has instigated a 30-minute production break between shifts to allow employees to leave site before their colleagues arrive. Some non-essential product lines have been paused, with efforts concentrated on essential production for the food and automotive industries. A limited furlough process has been undertaken and employees have been invited to complete a medical questionnaire to enable management to identify those who should shield.

Peter Gibson MP added: “The response from local businesses such as Cepac has been tremendous and there has been a real sense of drive and determination in ensuring our community is provided for during this time of uncertainty. Whether this has been by furloughing staff, or keeping their businesses open to provide key services to essential workers or helping those who are vulnerable in our community.”

Iain Hannam, General Manager of Cepac Darlington, said: “We are working very hard to ensure the safety of our staff throughout this crisis. Our site is highly automated and we are managing numbers on shift to ensure that staff can follow the Government’s guidelines on social distancing. “

Cepac is one of many local businesses supporting a national initiative - the C-19 Business Pledge - which has seen organisations from across the UK showing a commitment to provide extra support in three main areas: employees, customers and communities.

Former Cabinet Minister, Rt Hon Justine Greening, who launched the C-19 Business Pledge with entrepreneur David Harrison, welcomed Peter Gibson’s backing for the national scheme encouraging businesses to join the coronavirus national effort by pledging to go the extra mile.

Rt Hon Justine Greening said: “With the future of many employers hanging in the balance and incredibly tough times unfolding in sectors across the UK, businesses face many incredibly difficult decisions. 

“But those companies who are able to, can have a huge role in battling the impact of coronavirus and make a real difference in these uniquely challenging times.

“In spite of everything, lots of businesses have already shown amazing initiative and commitment to helping people affected by coronavirus. The C-19 Business Pledge is all about encouraging as many businesses as possible to get involved and then helping them do that faster and better by sharing all the great work that’s already been done on our website, www.c19businesspledge.org. The early response has been incredible and I’ll do everything I can to help to connect up British business to play its role.”