Plumbing and water delivery products that are critical to maintaining public health and sanitation are being made

RWC is still operational despite the Coronavirus and is providing plumbing and water delivery products for essential trades that are critical to maintaining public health and sanitation.

RWC is supplying products and components to hospitals, as well as medical and healthcare manufacturers to help them respond to the COVID-19 crisis. However, it is maintaining only the minimum number of personnel on site for manufacturing and distribution operations.

RWC primarily supplies hardware stores which are on the list of specific retail stores which should remain open (as set out in the latest Government guidelines). Without the production and distribution of these types of products, there could be shortages across the UK and Europe that may result in putting water supply infrastructure at risk, and thus, the health and safety of the public.

The health and safety of RWC's employees and its customers is a priority and it has undertaken several measures to minimise the impact:

  • Improved social distancing of employees on site to reduce the spread of any infection
  • Utilising remote working technologies for office based and other key staff where commercially practical
  • Significantly enhanced cleaning regime in all facilities
  • Staff education about minimising possible transmission of the virus and appropriate action to take if infection is suspected
  • External meetings and travel have been suspended, in favour of teleconferencing
  • Providing technical product advice and support over the phone or via video calls to those that need help while on site
  • Reviewing and revising Business Continuity Plans to reflect likely scenarios, such as planning for specialist ‘deep cleaning' of any facilities that require it.

RWC is regularly reviewing these processes in line with the evolving impact of the virus and will continue to update and refine its plans accordingly. 

As well as these immediate actions RWC is assessing the full extent of the longer-term impact, while working to prioritise production to restock vital products that are most critical to protecting sanitation, health and wellbeing.

RWC is also monitoring the development in the logistics market and actively working with its internal distribution fleet, third party shippers and freight forwarders to ensure products can be delivered safely when and where necessary.