Coronavirus: Louis Vuitton owner to start making hand sanitiser

Economy & Business
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2021-01-27

Louis Vuitton owner LVMH will use its perfume production lines to start making hand sanitiser to protect people against the coronavirus outbreak.

The luxury goods maker says it wants to help tackle a nationwide shortage of the anti-viral products across France.

“These gels will be delivered free of charge to the health authorities,” LVMH announced on Sunday.

France has now seen 120 deaths from the coronavirus as the pandemic spreads.

“LVMH will use the production lines of its perfume and cosmetic brands… to produce large quantities of hydroalcoholic gels from Monday,” LVMH said in a statement.

The factories normally produce perfume and makeup for luxury brands like Christian Dior and Givenchy.

The French luxury conglomerate also owns well-known brands such as champagne maker Moet & Chandon, watchmaker Tag Heuer and jeweller Bulgari.

“LVMH will continue to honour this commitment for as long as necessary, in connection with the French health authorities,” the company said.

France has closed its restaurants, cafes and non-essential stores in an effort to combat the virus, which has infected an estimated 165,000 people and killed more than 6,000 worldwide.

Governments across the world have called on manufacturers to help make products that are running low during the virus outbreak.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to ask UK engineering firms on Monday to shift production to build ventilators for the NHS.

In China, at the peak of its coronavirus outbreak in February, electronics giant Foxconn switched some of its production from Apple iPhones to make surgical masks.

Today's Vocabulary

1. outbreak (n)
a time when something suddenly begins, especially a disease or something else dangerous or unpleasant

2. tackle (v)
to try to deal with something or someone

3. conglomerate (n)
a company that owns several smaller businesses whose products or services are usually very different

4. combat (v)
to try to stop something unpleasant or harmful from happening or increasing

5. ventilators (n)
an opening or a device that allows fresh air to come into a closed space

6. honour (n) 
a quality that combines respect, being proud, and hones

QUESTIONS
  1. What did the article say France is experiencing?

  2. What jeweller does the Louis Vuitton group own?

  3. What brand does the LVMH group make perfume for besides Givenchy?

  4. What will Louis Vuitton make large quantities of?
DISCUSSION
  1. What do you know about Louis Vuitton?

  2. How important is hand sanitiser?

  3. Are you using hand sanitiser?

  4. What do you think of Louis Vuitton making hand sanitiser?

  5. How would you be able to deal with shortages?