Liz Barnes, Managing Director at SwetWipes Ltd
With companies across the country reporting that business has suffered and redundancies are on the horizon, a South East-based body hygiene company is bucking the trend.
“COVID has turned our business on its head!” said Liz Barnes, Managing Director at SwetWipes Ltd.
Positive customer impact
Liz continues… “Our XL biodegradable body wipes were originally intended for busy sporting types to be able to clean themselves after sweaty commutes, bike rides and lunchtime runs, however since lockdown meant we were all at home more, access to showers hasn’t been a problem for this segment of consumers”
Swetwipes was only launched in the UK in March 2020 and the first delivery of goods coincided with lockdown, so the company struggled at first, with no orders and a worry about the future viability of the company. After a short time though, a handful of disabled customers started to e mail in and praise the company for the quality, thickness and scent of SwetWipes explaining that they were using them to clean themselves because they physically could not shower or bath.
“It was a lightbulb moment” said Liz, “We realised that the everyday tasks many of us take for granted are almost impossible for many disabled people and that our wipes were really helping people who couldn’t otherwise clean themselves or their loved ones”. Tabitha Fung, a pro GB adaptive Tennis Player and founder of ‘Wheely Brits’ an online group for disabled people is a firm fan calling the product an absolute “Lifesaver”
With over 11 million people in the UK* either registered as disabled or living with a long term illness or mobility impairment, Liz quickly realised that this segment of the market was radically under-catered for and woefully ignored by regular brands. “Our disabled customers are raving about us because we have developed something that they need, that fulfils a basic human right to be clean at a price they can afford” concluded Liz.
A quick glance at the company’s Facebook page confirms this, with almost 1,000 customers praising the brand and one happy customer even singing a song about the product!
“We have now partnered up with a local disabled charity; The Bevern Trust to donate free wipes, so that we can continue to meet our goal of helping everyone feel fresh and clean, whatever their circumstances, whilst at the same time, giving something back to the local community”.
SwetWipes antibacterial, biodegradable body wipes: Availability
SwetWipes antibacterial, biodegradable body wipes: Availability are available online to purchase at www.swetwipes.com or via Amazon.
*Stats taken from Gov.uk – PDF Disability Statistics
Founded in 2020 SwetWipes Ltd, is the UK’s first Antibacterial & Biodegradable Body Hygiene Wipe.
The company is committed to launching a whole range of scented wipes and associated products in 2021.
