Cutting system manufacturer responds to call for PPE

Blackman and White
Blackman and White

An Essex-based manufacturer is using its expertise in cutting systems to design and make vital equipment to support frontline staff in the fight against the pandemic.

Blackman & White has responded to the national call for urgent PPE by getting its CAD engineers to create a visor that is made from polycarbonate or acetate to make the most of its in-house machine capabilities.

The company is looking to utilise spare capacity in its demo room at its facility on the Street Industrial Estate in Maldon, where Orion and Genesis V machines can use dual motion control, state-of-the-art routers and laser capabilities to produce 300 units every day.

Bosses are now appealing for other businesses to support their efforts by helping to source material that is currently hard to find or not of the right quality, assistance with product specifications and identifying healthcare facilities in need of this vital safety equipment.

Eiko White, director at Blackman & White, commented: “We have all seen the terrible stories of our heroic doctors, nurses and care workers fighting the Covid-19 virus without the right PPE.

“It’s heartbreaking and we wanted to try to do what we can to help in some small way. Our team looked at the machines available to us and which products we could design and manufacture from scratch, starting with a visor but with the possibility to follow-up with other much-needed PPE.”

She continued: “We can easily make 300 per day, but we are struggling to source the right quality material - this is where we need help. 1mm polycarbonate or 1mm acetate are the big stumbling blocks.

“Our customers, who have been quick to come forward and offer their assistance, have been making do with alternatives, but supplies are drying up and, inherently, the costs are climbing. If we can get access to the right material, we can hopefully do our bit to protect NHS and care workers on the frontline.

Blackman & White, which employs 28 people, is thought to be the UK’s only manufacturer of cutting systems, with all machines designed and manufactured from start to finish at their UK factory.

Blackman & White www.blackmanandwhite.com

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