Businesses and universities across Wales are responding to a nationwide call for action to help supply the NHS and social care with vital equipment to support staff.
Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates has urged more to companies to join the effort.
Gin distillery In The Welsh Wind, from Ceredigion, has started making World Health Organisation-approved hand sanitiser from its Gogerddan Arms base.
Margam-based Rototherm Group, meanwhile, is producing face shields which will be used by healthcare staff, sourced from Premier Plastic Services Ltd, in Bridgend, via Cardiff stockist Amari Plastics Ltd, which paid for the first 2,000 units.
They join the Royal Mint, which has adapted its operations to produce protective visors, and Merlin Circuit Technology, in Hawarden, which has stepped up to manufacture ventilators and CPAP products at its North Wales site.
Economy, Transport and North Wales Minister Ken Skates said: “There has been an overwhelmingly positive response from the business community and we are seeing new ways of working as businesses switch to making devices and products, which will make a real difference to our health and social care staff.
“I very much welcome the steps businesses have taken so far and encourage more to do the same – if you can, and are able to, please think of the important part role you can play.
“Wales has a wealth of experience, talent and skills and more than ever that will be needed to beat this virus.”
Rototherm business development director Tarkan Conger said: “Team Rototherm are proud to see our face shields being used on the front line by our amazing NHS.”
First Minister Mark Drakeford, has issued a call to action for Welsh businesses to create a new Welsh supply chain for personal protective equipment (PPE) to support NHS and social care staff, and the Life Sciences Hub Wales is asking industry to support efforts to combat the virus by coming up with new solutions in areas such as infection control.
Businesses and individuals which want to help should visit businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice for further information and points of contact.
