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Zapptizer’s success story

28 November 2022

Zapptizer’s success story

I originally wrote about Zapptizer almost exactly two years ago back in December 2020, just as the second Covid-19 lockdown ended and England adopted a strict three-tier system of restrictions (remember those?). I described the product then as “one of the real success stories to have emerged as the world adapted to the pandemic”. 

It was the brainchild of Craig Michel, managing director of Paragon Protection Systems which is known for its Zappshelter site storage systems. As that earlier article explained, he reached out to two other businesses located close to Paragon’s headquarters in Perthshire to develop a product for the quick sanitisation of objects and surfaces to protect against the coronavirus. 

Basically, one company had a biocide that treated against SARS-CoV-2 which caused Covid-19, the other could put it into pressurised containers, and Paragon had the expertise to market and distribute it quickly. The businesses acted remarkably and Zapptizer was available virtually as soon as the first lockdown began in March 2020. 

Craig described the move as “probably the fastest business pivot in history,” when I caught up with him again recently. “Zapptizer was a simple but effective way for people to spray vehicle cabs, work surfaces and other touch points to protect against the virus. 

“Demand went mad throughout 2020 and at times we could scarcely keep pace with demand. Obviously, demand tailed off during 2021 as the coronavirus threat diminished. But it is still available and if (let’s hope not!) the virus or a new variant appeared, we could ramp up production again in an instant. 

“We’re proud that Zapptizer helped people and businesses to keep functioning throughout the pandemic. Hirers, essential services and many other companies had to remain open during the lockdowns and they needed a quick way of sanitising products and premises without special training. Zapptizer kept people safe, well before the vaccines were publicly available.” 

As well as in hire, Zapptizer has been used in many markets including rail and bus operators, police forces, councils, street furniture (pictured above), universities, health care premises and Tier 1 contractors’ sites, amongst many others.

Paragon is to be applauded for its role in developing Zapptizer, and not just for its response to an unprecedented challenge. It also showed how flexible and pro-active businesses can work together quickly to solve problems and protect people. 

● Read the recent Q&A interview on the blog with Craig Michel here


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