Hartford-based commercial printer Joseph Merritt & Co. Inc. is offsetting some lost revenue amid Covid-19 closures by pivoting to making face shields and selling them to companies still open during the pandemic.
Joseph Merritt started making the masks about a week-and-a-half ago, said President and COO Kevin Perry, and have sold about 1,000 so far. At $10.95 apiece, that’s about $11,000 in new revenues.
“Our revenues have dropped significantly, so part of this is about survival,” Perry said. “I’m trying to keep the lights on and keep employees employed.”
Joseph Merritt is an industrial printing company that produces signage, graphic fabrication and direct mail advertising campaigns for municipalities, businesses and other customers. Customers buying the face shields consist mostly of companies open during the pandemic, and individuals who donate them to healthcare facilities, Perry said.Â
Perry would not disclose specifics of Joseph Merritt’s finances.
The company furloughed some of its approximately 45 workers, Perry said. Joseph Merritt was approved for a federal small business loan, but is currently going through the application process with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to receive one, he said.
“I would say that this doesn’t offset [lost revenue], but it helps until we can get the [Payroll Protection Program] loan processed by the SBA.”
In addition to the face shields, Joseph Merritt is making social distancing floor decals for stores that are open during the pandemic.
While Perry acknowledges the move to sell protective equipment is not charity, he said he’s glad the company is able to generate some revenue while producing protective equipment that can be difficult to find because of shortages. And right now, some companies need to evolve to survive.
“Companies have to reinvent themselves, so that’s what I’m trying to do,” Perry said.
