Burberry Group PLC (LON:BRBY) revealed it has turned its coat factory in Castleford, UK to produce personal protection equipment (PPE) for medical and care workers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
The FTSE 100-listed fashion group said it is also sourcing surgical masks through its supply chain, and has donated more than 100,000 pieces of PPE to the NHS and charities so far.
The designer - famous for its chequered trench coats - said it is not relying on government support for jobs in the UK, where more than a third of its employees are based.
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The group also said its board of directors have taken a voluntary 20% pay cut from April to June, with the equivalent cash to be donated to the Burberry Foundation COVID-19 Community Fund to support various charitable causes worldwide.
“While we continue to take mitigating actions to contain our costs and protect our financial position, we are also committed to safeguarding jobs and supporting the relief efforts during this global health emergency,” Burberry chief executive Marco Gobbetti said in a statement.
Shares slid 3% to 1,305.5p on Friday at the opening bell.
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