Background information

Lariplast S.A. is a regional company based in Larisa Thessaly, founded in 1969, producing a series of disposable plastics such as: plastic caps for different uses, clamshells, plates, spoons/forks/knifes, straws etc. During the pandemic and from April 2020, the company decided to reorient its activities and to proceed with the production of surgical masks in order to meet the needs of the domestic market, due to the coronavirus pandemic. The investment plan was completed in less than a month and includes two production lines of surgical masks. This reorientation of activity, extended its scope of businesses and among other safeguarded the employment of its workers.

Content of measure

The investment was completed in just 20 days and concerns the installation of two lines of special mechanical equipment fully automated, for the production of surgical masks having filter safety of over 98%. Normally, such an investment takes four - six months to be completed according to the CEO of the company. The production capacity is 300,000 masks per day and 9,000,000 on a monthly basis. The company, active since 1969 in the production of disposable plastic products for food, managed with a great difficulty during the pandemic to find mechanical equipment and raw material from the European market to carry out its project. The investment amounts to about €3 million, an amount that the company covered exclusively by its own resources, without receiving any state aid.

The investment comes to meet the increased demand for masks. It is not going to replace the main activity of the company. After ensuring the adequacy of the domestic market, Lariplast focuses on exporting surgical masks to other markets, which are already in increasing need. Lariplast S.A. has a production unit both in Greece, in the area of Larissa, and in France.

Use of measure

Lariplast S.A., can be regarded as a success story by reorienting its’ business activities to meet needs of the pandemic. The decision of the company to enter into the surgery masks production is a good example of how the companies can be adapt themselves into the crisis, preserve their sustainability and employment.

Contents

• Other topics

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Other businesses	Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
Company / Companies	Companies

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Company level

Involvement

There is no involvement.

Views and reactions

There are no reactions.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 22 April 2020: Lariplast begins the manufacture of surgical masks (Ξεκινάει την κατασκευή χειρουργικών μασκών η εταιρεία Lariplast (www.kathimerini.gr)