bonprix, in association with OTTO and Hermes, donates coronavirus protective equipment to hospitals, nursing homes and retirement homes in Hamburg

In a concerted effort, Otto Group companies bonprix, OTTO and Hermes are donating 175,000 face masks, 12,000 protective goggles and 3,300 coveralls to the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) and Marienkrankenhaus hospitals, as well as to nursing and retirement homes in Hamburg. Further donations are planned for other regions and countries where the Otto Group is active through its group companies.

"In a crisis, it is important to stand together, roll up our sleeves and get involved where we can actually make a difference. This applies to companies as well as to each and every one of us. The shortage of protective equipment, which poses a high health risk, especially for healthcare and nursing staff in hospitals, prompted us to work together as a group to find ways to approach companies in China that specialise in the production of protective clothing," explains Alexander Birken, CEO of the Otto Group. ‘I am delighted that we have achieved this together and that bonprix, Hermes and OTTO are able to supply two hospitals in Hamburg as well as nursing and retirement homes with a donation.’

The costs of procuring and transporting the protective clothing were covered in full by the Otto Group and its group companies OTTO, bonprix and Hermes Germany; Hermes took care of delivery to the clinics.

‘The Otto family has had close ties with the UKE for many years. We are very pleased that the Otto Group is supporting us even in these extraordinary times. With this generous donation, the Otto Group is helping us to protect the health of our patients and employees in the best possible way,’ said Joachim Prölß, Director of Patient and Care Management and Member of the Executive Board of the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE).

On behalf of bonprix, Jörn Otto, Head of Supply Chain and Sourcing at bonprix Handelsgesellschaft mbH, handed over the protective equipment to the Marienkrankenhaus hospital. He describes the measure as a perfect example of fast and unbureaucratic cooperation across company boundaries. ‘As a large Hamburg-based company, we wanted to help where protective equipment is most urgently needed. And that is in the healthcare sector, among people who are particularly at risk. We have used our supplier contacts and purchasing experience to achieve this,’ said Jörn Otto.

In parallel with this donation, the Otto Group is working with other companies to help the German government procure protective clothing for hospitals, doctors' surgeries, nursing homes and other social services.

Caption People from left to right: Timo Holm (Hermes driver), Dr Ursula Perez-Platz (hygiene management, Marienkrankenhaus), Jörn Otto (bonprix, Head of Supply Chain & Sourcing), Sonja Spahl (Director of Nursing, Marienkrankenhaus), Prof. Dr Norbert Rolf (Medical Director, Marienkrankenhaus), Christoph Schmitz (Managing Director, Marienkrankenhaus)