Coventry & Warwickshire in business
MIRIUS
Essential local company helps clean up Coronavirus Mirius Global Hygiene Solutions in Coventry is one of the few companies in our region who are closer than most to the current Coronavirus pandemic. The business supplies cleaning and hygiene products to professional, retail and healthcare providers across the globe and has experienced unprecedented and accelerated demand for its cleaning ranges since the start of the outbreak. Darren Langdon Commercial Director said “Early on in the pandemic it was clear to us that this was no ordinary outbreak of what many people thought was just a flu virus. Since 1962 we have been pioneering bio-security hygiene products and we work closely with governments, healthcare providers and local communities in disease prevention and control. At our site in Coventry we have an international healthcare team who constantly monitor such outbreaks and shortly after the disease started to emerge, the uplift in orders from our Chinese customers for bio-security disinfectants was an early warning sign.”
A normal week would see Mirius producing a vast array of different types of cleaning products, from a portfolio of thousands of formulations. This has changed beyond all recognition as their factory has had to prioritise the production of disinfectants, bleaches and hand soaps.
Over the years Mirius have developed a range of broad spectrum bactericidal and viricidal products proven to kill the likes of Bird Flu, SARS and Swine Flu. In January they sent a number of existing and newly developed products, to independent test laboratories across the UK to confirm their efficacy against Coronaviruses. Darren Langdon: “Although we knew we had a fantastic range of products both existing and in current development, that we were confident would render such a virus inactive. Having them tested and approved was of paramount importance. As expected, when the test results came back, they confirmed a number of products were - Effective according to EN14467 against enveloped viruses which includes coronaviruses.”
To support the professional cleaning sector Mirius expedited its technical development of a range of disinfectants under its brand name ‘Super Professional’, introducing a new 750ml antiviral trigger spray and 5ltr jerry can. This product is in high demand as people race to clean offices and educational establishments. In addition, the business was urged by its retail customers to do likewise for consumers. As stores across the UK saw unprecedented demand for cleaning products and shelves were left empty.
As the UK Government has classified the business as essential, it is now operating 24hrs a day 7 days a week, prioritising the production of antiviral disinfectants.
Darren Langdon “Supplying products to the three areas of our business; Healthcare, Professional and Retail has been a significant challenge, as all sectors are exceptionally busy and must be supported. As priority we absolutely must support our healthcare providers at the very frontline in the fight against the disease. We also have to supply products to the professional cleaning sector, so they can clean and disinfect offices, schools, supermarkets and public spaces. But just as important is the need for consumers to obtain disinfectant products, so they can clean their homes and protect their families.”
Darren Langdon “The retail trade in particular has been very demanding and we are acutely aware of our social responsibility to support the general public. Using a more consumer-friendly variant of our hospital disinfectant Hycolin™, we have managed to get the retail version of this brand independently tested, approved and into stores in record time. Hycolin™ Antiviral Surface Disinfectant is now one of the fastest selling cleaning products in grocery.” One of the key challenges the business has faced is the cost of raw materials and the supply of trigger heads which are manufactured in China. Darren Langdon “On a regular basis we run a number of disaster case study scenarios, so as a management team we are prepared for most eventualities. One of these scenarios was a strain on the supply chain, so very quickly our processes kicked-in and we secured substantial additional materials. Doing so has meant that unlike many of our competitors, we haven’t forced price increases upon our customers.” To keep running at higher capacity the business has implemented stringent health and safety measures to safeguard its employees including external wash stations, social distancing, uprated PPE and working from home. The business remains determined to provide its customers with the highest quality products and they are working tirelessly day and night to fulfil customer orders. So, what does the future hold for the business and how does Mirius see the
More information about Mirius can be found on their website www.mirius.com or you can connect with them and keep abreast of developments through their LinkedIn pages www.linkedin.com/company/mirius
cleaning landscape changing? Darren Langdon “Before the pandemic we were already working at record levels, as we continued to secure new customers across all areas. Testament to this was our 2019 Sunday Times Export Award and being placed 9th in the Alantra Chemicals & Coatings Awards, as one of the Fastest Growing Chemical Companies in Europe. Undoubtedly there will be a greater emphasis on products that support improved health and hygiene and our business is in a very strong position to support this demand. On a more personal note, myself and the rest of the team are thankful that such professions as cleaners and those in the health service are now receiving the recognition they so rightly deserve.” Its clear that Mirius is best placed to support its clients at this difficult time and its success is testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone in the business. The future of the business really does look clean and bright.