Omega Bio-tek shifts resources to assist with Coronavirus testing

The whole company, including the full sales team, is involved in production and distribution, meaning they haven't had to lay off anyone. In fact, they've invited staff members to refer.

  • Name: Travis Butts
  • Title: Business Director
  • Company: Omega Bio-tek
  • Region: Norcross, Georgia
  • Industry: Manufacturing (Scientific R&D)
  • Vistage Chair: Shaun Bradley

The Challenge: Prior to the pandemic, Omega Bio-tek was focused on manufacturing DNA and RNA purification kits used in human disease diagnostic tests, academic research and biopharma applications. The company would offer very customized tailored on-site solutions based on the needs of their clients.

But by mid-March, Business Director Travis Butts explains, everything changed.

Leadership Opportunity: Omega Bio-tek is now keenly focused on the second part of a three-step coronavirus testing process. "We provide the viral RNA extraction, which is a vital part of the coronavirus testing supply chain," Butts says.

"We changed our business model pretty swiftly, standardizing our operations so they are more back-end production with minimal need to be onsite," Butts says. "We were able to quickly shift resources to the production of this material, and we have been able to meet the highest demand we've ever seen.

Butts says the whole company, including the full sales team, is involved in production and distribution, meaning they haven't had to lay off anyone. In fact, they've invited staff members to refer.

"I'm very proud of what this company has been able to accomplish so quickly," Butts says. "It's been a 60-person effort."

As for respecting coronavirus protocol, Butts says that Omega Bio-tek has taken precautions to the extreme. "We've separated departments to eliminate physical interactions and have even put up physical barriers. I alternate between working on-site and off-site with another [Director]," he says.

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