What a surreal year it’s been. As we come to the end of 2020 and start to live and work with the “new normal”, the team at Data Image thought we’d reflect on the impact COVID-19 has had on us as a business. Whilst also taking time to focus on the challenges that we’ve overcome and the things that we have accomplished over the past 12 months.

From the offset, our priority has been to ensure the whole staff force understood the importance of social distancing. Providing effective PPE and being there for our team during such unprecedented time. The health, safety and welfare of our team is imperative. The most used term of 2020 “wash your hands” is now a regular statement at Data Image!

Almost immediately, we began to receive calls for advice and support on the most effective solutions in making sure that the essential industries still operating could do so in a safe way. The team have been outstanding in producing many bespoke items. From sneeze screens for High Street retail stores to 2-metre distance floor signage for factories, supermarkets and warehouses. All our products are designed to limit contact and promote social distancing during the pandemic. As well as ensuring our clients’ needs were met, the team also maintained the high standard of quality and speedy timeline they depend on us for.

Lots of articles appeared around automation. As we like to stay ahead of the game, we already had experience in this area. Our automated ESKO Kongsberg C66 robot came into its own. Working in isolation through the night; our high volume, short deadline requests were all met with ease and on time.

Helping the community

Our CEO and Founder, Rob, became quite alarmed at the beginning of the pandemic. Especially with the ongoing lack of PPE for our key workers and NHS community. Feeling compelled to do something, he led conversations with fellow industry experts and Safe Seen was born. Providing face shields to our frontline workers whilst also raising funds for our chosen charity Child Bereavement UK. For more information, you can read all about Safe Seen here.

As the wider impact and long-term realisation that the country was going into lockdown became a reality. We started to look at our long-term plans to see how we could utilise this down time productively. We had to safeguard the business so that it continued to grow in both its capacity and its revolutionary facilities to ensure it continues to be one of the most respected print companies in the UK. The team have been able to bring forward 2021 plans. Including a new integrated CRM system that will ensure delivery of a more seamless customer journey across all projects. Along with the addition of new equipment to further expand our ever-increasing offering here at Data Image. Watch this space for more exciting news as we enter 2021!

Bringing fans back to the stadium

When the sports industry began to return without the atmosphere of the fans in attendance, we realised that there was an opportunity to bridge the gap between the club and supporters. With the introduction of our loyal fan visuals, we provided fans the satisfaction of supporting their team from afar whilst also enabling valuable funds to be raised for the club. FaceInTheCrowd cut outs became a success with 18 teams signing up, three of which made it to Wembley Stadium! Most recently, we are thrilled that Leicestershire Country Cricket Club have also signed up for fan cut outs. Meaning we as a local company are now supporting a local sports team in ensuring fan-based loyalty continues during their closed sporting events. To find out more about what we’ve been up to with FaceInTheCrowd, read our blog post here.

Difficult conversations

As the country began to see varying levels of tiers in the continued fight to protect our community from the virus, we have seen many changes. Not only the sad closure of many companies but also the terrible loss of jobs not only in the print industry; but across all sectors of industry. The reality of the UK-wide Summer Lockdown affected us and with much regret we had to restructure the business. Following difficult conversations with our team, some of our fantastic and highly valued team members departed our close-knit family at Data Image.

As a company, we would like to take this opportunity to thank every individual that has worked and continues to work for Data Image for your unwavering support. We wish our departed team the very best of luck in whatever the future holds for them and we look forward to continuing growing the company with our existing team.

Looking forward

One beacon of light through this has been the community spirit that has ignited over the last 12 months. As a country we got behind the weekly Thursday night clap for our Key Workers. Showing how displaying support can have a positive impact on us all as a country. It’s important to stay focused and to support each other as and when we can.

Whether it is businesses helping our businesses or as individuals checking in on each other during these uncertain times. Let’s support each other and show empathy until normal service returns. Hopefully in the not-too-distant future. We will get through this together.

Finally, whichever way you are celebrating over the festive period and whoever you are sharing it with, we would like to take this time to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas. Happy New Year and a healthy and safe 2021 from all of the team at Data Image!