Boris Johnson has spoken to over 60 of the UK’s leading manufacturers to call on them to help step up production of vital medical equipment, such as ventilators.
The prime minister made clear that responding to coronavirus and reducing the spread of the peak requires a national effort. He has asked manufacturers to rise to this immediate challenge by offering skills and expertise as well as manufacturing the components themselves.
Businesses can get involved in any part of the process: design, procurement, assembly, testing, and shipping.
The government wants industry to manufacture as many new ventilators as possible to help the most vulnerable and the NHS. Chief commercial officer and commercial director from the NHS set out the clinical and design specifications.
A number of companies are already engaged in the effort and exploring how they can best support. Any business who is able to help should get in touch, by phoning the BEIS Business Support Helpline on 0300 456 3565 or visiting the website.
The Business Support Helpline has already received over 400 calls from businesses looking for information on how they can contribute to the Prime Minister’s call for ventilator production.
Rolls-Royce has said it is willing to help the Government amid the Coronavirus outbreak. The aircraft engine manufacturer says it is keen to “provide any practical help” to help the country with the virus outbreak.
A spokeswoman for Rolls-Royce said: "We understand that the Government is exploring ways in which businesses can help deal with the outbreak of Covid-19. As they shape their plans, we are keen to do whatever we can to help the Government and the country at this time and will look to provide any practical help we can.”
A spokesperson from Unipart confirmed that the company had been approached by the government: “Unipart is not currently engaged in the manufacture of medical products although our company has significant levels of expertise in volume manufacturing, some very skilled engineers, and world-leading capability in logistics. We’re pleased to be involved in such an important project and doing everything we can to help.”
The JCB chairman, Lord Bamford, said: “We have been approached by the prime minister to see if we can help with the production of ventilators. We have research and engineering teams actively looking at the request at the moment. It’s unclear as yet if we can assist, but as a British company we will do whatever we can to help during the unprecedented times our country is facing.”
Ventilator Challenge www.ventilator.herokuapp.com
