Pivoting Our Business In Response To COVID-19

At Shurtape, we believe our people make the difference. So, we work diligently to provide a safe and comfortable working environment in which we prioritize our employees’ health, safety and well-being above all else. These priorities have remained at the forefront as we have planned, implemented and adjusted our Company’s response to the dynamic and unprecedented situation presented by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Response: Proactive Preventive Measures

In anticipation of COVID-19 hitting at home, we developed and implemented a Pandemic Response Plan through our established Crisis Management Team. A fluid approach, this plan has been used to guide decision-making processes and communications, while continuing to factor in new information and governmental guidance as appropriate.

“There is no crystal ball, no perfect plan and no way to know what to expect with this pandemic environment. Things continue to change frequently and rapidly, but always at the center of our focus is our workforce,” said Gene Obrock, Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Logistics. “Early on, we activated our Crisis Management Team and outlined a response plan, maintaining open and responsive communications and pivoting our approach as needed.”

Among our initial steps was setting a foundation of proactive precautionary and preventive measures, which were put in place to help reduce the risk of exposure and keep our operations running smoothly and safely. Throughout the pandemic, those measures have included:

• Staying home when sick
• Mandatory use of masks or other face coverings
• Quarantining post-exposure
• Ongoing, proactive cleaning and sanitation of facilities
• Frequent handwashing and other good hygiene practices
• Social distancing
• Work from home policies for those able to do so
• Business travel and visitor restrictions
• Strong encouragement of vaccination among the workforce
• Installation of new air purification systems in many of the various office, break room and conference room spaces as an extra measure of protection to fight the transmission of viral infections, reduce potential allergens that may be circulated within the HVAC systems and improve the overall indoor air quality

Result: Continued Vigilance and Operation

Our manufacturing and distribution sites globally have remained open and operational throughout the onset and height of the pandemic. This has allowed our vital products to continue to flow to the consumers and businesses that depend upon them to support our global response to this health crisis, while also ensuring our workforce has a place to work and a steady income to provide for themselves and their families.

“We continue to ask our employees to prioritize the health, safety and well-being of themselves and their families, colleagues and communities as we work together to navigate the ever-changing situation,” said Mr. Obrock. “Because of our confidence in our workforce remaining vigilant with the preventive and precautionary measures we put in place, as well as our continued alignment with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health departments, we have not wavered from our focus of keeping them safe, healthy – and working.”

See what other steps we’re taking to improve our organization as a responsible business.