Redland City Mayor Karen Williams has applauded local businesses that have quickly adapted to meet demand for medical-grade equipment and sanitiser during the COVID-19 response.

Cr Williams said a group of Redlands Coast businesses including Cleveland manufacturers Shine Precision Industries, Asterisco Group, Alchemy Cordials and Dye-Pac and Capalaba’s Freelance Robotics had been exceptional in the way they had rapidly evolved.

“They and others like them are great examples of how Redlands Coast businesses have been creative, innovative and flexible in the face of the coronavirus pandemic,” Cr Williams said.

“They identified what was needed and what they needed to do to ensure the health of their businesses and the community and that is commendable.”

Cr Williams, who visited the Enterprise Street businesses Shine Precision and Asterisco Group on Thursday to say thank you on behalf of Redlands Coast, said Council had developed a suite of measures to help local businesses get through the pandemic.

“These range from advice and assistance in accessing federal and state financial support to targeted grants and financial hardship assistance,” Cr Williams said.

“Council is also boosting its ‘buy local’ preference, which is already having results with a four per cent increase in local spend in the last three months.

“We are also seeking to bring forward more than $60 million in infrastructure spending to recharge the local economy.

“We need our local businesses and employers to succeed for everyone’s sake, which makes it so pleasing to see businesses like Shine Industries, Asterisco, Alchemy Cordials, Dye-Pac and Freelance Robotics respond so brilliantly.”

Shine Precision Industries’ Ian Boileau said his company, which is heavily involved in the aerospace and defence sectors, identified Australia’s vulnerability to extreme shortages of medical supplies and immediately geared up to produce about 2000 medical-grade face shields and masks a week on a “not for profit basis”.

“We also see a huge opportunity and need for medical equipment supplies, now and post-Covid-19,” Mr Boileau said.

“We have established ourselves on Redlands Coast as a company that has a huge apprenticeship program, and plans for extensive growth, which in turn means hiring of more staff. Training and growth of our staff is our highest priority.”

Asterisco Group’s Brendan Armstrong, whose company manufactures leading international hygiene, sanitation and coatings brands, said the group was able to team with Enterprise Street neighbours Alchemy Cordials to produce a 65 percent alcohol gel-based hand sanitiser.

“Production of this under the Asterisk Hygiene banner is planned to be ongoing and a long lasting partnership is expected with Alchemy Cordials,” he said.

“We also have further products to announce in coming weeks to support the narrative of ‘The Power is in Your Hands’.”

Freelance Robotics, which specialises in the development of automation and mechatronics products, has been assisting with the provision of personal protective equipment and pandemic management technology.

Dye-Pac, which manufactures printing dyes and inks, has repurposed some capabilities to produce clinical-grade hand sanitiser spray.

To stay connected with what’s happening locally during the current situation, go to redland.qld.gov.au/COVID19 or, for health issues, visit www.health.qld.gov.au