In these challenging times, when businesses are being hit hard by the impact of the lockdown, it is great to see so many South Yorkshire businesses being involved in tackling the Covid-19 crisis and supporting our NHS in protecting vulnerable people’s lives.
Here, we take a look at how some of our region’s manufacturers are utilising their skills and innovation, as well as donating equipment, to make major contributions to the cause.
Supercar manufacturers engineering ventilator excellence
Supercar manufacturer McLaren of Sheffield is part of a consortium of companies looking to produce 10,000 critical medical ventilators.
The company is using its engineering expertise to design and build ‘end of line’ test equipment to ensure that the ventilator units meet all the specified functional and safety requirements.
McLaren is also manufacturing other key components such as equipment to test the effectiveness of the new ventilators, as well as trolleys to fix them in hospitals.
The company also donated 100 face masks, 35 boxes of gloves and 30 overalls to the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.
From drainage to ventilation ducts
Barnsley-based drainage manufacturer Naylor’s has been using its expertise to produce ventilation ducts and cable filler for three NHS emergency medical schemes, including the Nightingale Hospital in London.
Naylor’s ventilation duct is being installed as part of ventilation and temperature control measures.
In addition, Naylor’s extruded cable filler has been used as part of cabling works on the same site as well as other schemes such as a temporary hospital in Milan.
Naylor chief executive, Edward Naylor, said: “I’m extremely proud of our ventilation duct team who have worked day and night to meet the increased demand. These facilities are being built at an amazing rate and we have been really pleased to play our part in their construction.”
Protective face shields for local hospitals
The University of Sheffield’s AMRC has a team working around the clock to rapidly manufacture and assemble essential face shields to help keep Sheffield’s frontline NHS workers safe in the fight against Covid-19.
Engineers from the AMRC’s Design and Prototyping Group (DPG) have responded to the national call to produce more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers by using technologies such as 3D printing and laser cutting to make up to 1,000 face visors per week.
The shop floor at the AMRC’s Design and Prototyping Testing Centre was transformed into an assembly production line and the team worked tirelessly over the Easter weekend to deliver the first batch of 934 protective face shields to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital on Easter Monday. The team is also producing an additional 1,000 visors for the Northern General Hospital.
Does your business have the expertise to contribute towards helping the NHS tackle Covid-19?
If your business has the skills and capabilities to help the NHS to tackle Covid-19, please visit the website https://www.supplychain.nhs.uk/covid19/
Or maybe you are able to supply essential PPE to the NHS? If so, you should contact NHS England by emailing: england.syblocalityteam@nhs.net
Details of the technical and regulatory standards for Personal Protective Equipment are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/technical-specifications-for-personal-protective-equipment-ppe
Support and guidance from the Growth Hub
The Sheffield City Region (SCR) Growth Hub exists to help businesses access the best possible business support. In these unprecedented times, we are working hard to respond to and support South Yorkshire’s businesses during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Please continue to visit the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub website for key information and support.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us directly by email: growthhub@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk or visit www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk/covid-19-support-for-businesses/ for updates and further help and support.
The Growth Hub acts as a ‘gateway’ so that your business can access support when you need it the most and within the shortest timeframe. Our team of specialists offer guidance in the fields of business development and industry support, including innovation, trade and exporting, accessing finance or training.