Harborough district company is producing thousands of new social distancing floor mats - and has seen demand go through the roof

A dynamic company in the Harborough district is rising to the challenge of tackling the Covid-19 emergency.

Coba Europe is producing thousands of new social distancing floor mats after reacting lightning fast to help combat the virus.

And the Fleckney-based firm is now selling the special practical warnings all over the world after being showcased on national BBC News.

Coba Europe’s group commercial director, Chris Stanley, 55, told the Harborough Mail: “Demand has shot through the roof – it’s been absolutely unbelievable.

“It’s gone mad and we are very pleased.

“We have been inundated with orders since being highlighted on the BBC.”

Chris, who lives in Market Harborough, stressed: “It is so good that we are able to generate a positive good news story in the middle of this coronavirus pandemic.”

The business chief said they were forced to furlough many of their 300 workers in Leicester and 36 staff in Fleckney after the lockdown was imposed in late March.

“It was a very challenging time for us as it’s been for so many other businesses and people all over the UK.

“So I sat down with our sales team and we got our heads together,” said Chris.

“We decided to come up with these two-metre social distancing mats.

“They are obviously helping us to keep going in these tough times – and they are also meeting a vital need at the same time.”

The dad-of-two said their mats:

Communicate social distancing rules to staff or customers to reduce coronavirus spread

· Are ideal for all public buildings, including hospitals, supermarkets and offices

· Are a cost-effective and durable way of taking health and safety seriously

· Are printed digitally for superb colour reproduction and definition

· Boast low-profile borders to reduce the risk of trips

· Are machine washable at 30ºC

· Stay in place thanks to vinyl backing, but can also be moved about and washed unlike floor stickers

· Bespoke mats can be delivered in three weeks while standard designs are available from stock.

“We are producing four designs and they are being produced by one of our partners in Europe.

“RS Components in Corby have just ordered 600 mats from us.

“Cromwell Tools in Wigston are buying mats from us along with Arco and many more,” said Chris, who’s worked at Coba Europe for 23 years.

“Huge names like Coca-Cola are ordering the product for their UK plants along with Rolls-Royce.

“Leicester General Hospital have just got in touch with us along with the NHS as far away as Cornwall.

“And universities, shops such as bakers, offices and factories are also keen to buy our new mats.”

He said the mats will make a real difference in the fight to get back on track as well as pouring vital revenue cash into their coffers.

“Appearing on the national and local BBC News gave us a massive shop window.

“The timing was absolutely perfect as orders have really taken off,” said Chris.

“Our mats are great visual reminders urging staff and customers to keep their distance and stay safe.

“We have a base in Germany taking us out into other European countries like France, the Netherlands and Spain.

“We are now starting to see orders from our French team while we also have a presence in South Africa.

“Social distancing is set at 1.5 metres in Germany so we are also creating individual bespoke mats.”

Hailing 54-year-old Coba Europe, he added: “We have been here in Fleckney since 1966 and have become one of the biggest and most experienced names in floor matting.

“I cannot see social distancing measures ending any time soon – maybe not for the rest of this year.

“So our mats will continue to be very much in demand and will carry on helping people get back to work.

“It’s great that this has become such a success story worldwide and a chink of light locally in this dark time.

“We won’t be quite back commercially to where we were before the lockdown.

“But this scheme is very exciting and is helping us to battle through this very challenging period.”

Chris said they are also producing vital personal protective equipment such as masks and face shields for NHS staff.

“We are doing all we can to help and support our brave NHS staff.

“Our new mats are simple but ingenious and all being well they will help so many workers and customers around the world fight through this,” he said.