Grangemouth tattoo artist now making his mark with vital PPE production

A community-minded tattoo artist has converted his studio into a PPE production facility to provide life saving protection to local key workers and healthcare staff as far away as Newcastle.
By James Trimble
Published 1st May 2020, 07:30 BST

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Murray Robertson’s hard work normally has a long-lasting effect on his clients, but now the coronavirus has called a temporary halt on his tattooing business Studio IX, in Kerse Road, Grangemouth, he is turning his attention to creating equipment which will be used by those who find themselves in the front line of caring for people who have contracted COVID-19.

Murray said: “We were looking at what we could do as a business to help people. We have this large studio in Kerse Road. There have been 3D printer designs of face shields going around and we use one that was designed by engineers at the Ford Motor Company – one of the quickest and simplest designs you could make.

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“We purchased enough acrylic to make 5000 face shields – that was the first thing we did, contacting a wholesaler and this means we can keep going for months, creating face shields for the Forth Valley.

Murray Robertson and wife Gayle are now producing PPE in their Studio IX tattoo studio in GrangemouthMurray Robertson and wife Gayle are now producing PPE in their Studio IX tattoo studio in Grangemouth
Murray Robertson and wife Gayle are now producing PPE in their Studio IX tattoo studio in Grangemouth

“We have made over 1000 face shields so far. We were originally going to give them to NHS staff but many of them have gone to three local care homes and care workers, with us delivering them to their front door.

“We have sent face shields as far north as Fife and as far south as Newcastle, where workers were having to rely on overalls and goggles.

The PPE production line is a real family affair, as Murray is joined by wife Gayle and daughter Katt.

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“We see it as our community duty to do this,” said Murray. “There are people going to their work facing this coronavirus pandemic without adequate protection. We used our own funds to buy the materials we needed for this but the community has helped us with donations of money and materials.

“They’ve been fantastic.”

Following the success of the face shield production, Murray and his family are now branching out into the creation of disposable PPE gowns made of a lightweight material called tyvek.

If you want to make a donation or order some PPE you can call 07485171036 or visit www.facebook.com/tattoostudio9 for more information.

Related topics:PPENewcastleGrangemouthCovid-19