JCB and a team of volunteer employees have set up production lines to come to the aid of the NHS in need of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Principal electronics engineer, James Morley – who is normally based at JCB’s World HQ in Rocester, has converted the garage at his Derbyshire home to produce vital supplies. Inspired by his efforts, JCB reopens its Innovation Centre at the World HQ.
The World HQ and JCB’s other UK manufacturing plants fell silent last month as a result of the disruption caused by the coronavirus and the vast majority of employees furloughed.
Volunteers
Joe Mumby, 22, and Joe Bagley, 25, of Ashby de-la-Zouch have volunteered and will have free use of the company’s 3D rapid prototype machines to help produce medical-grade visors for NHS staff.
For Joe Mumby, of Hilton, Derbyshire, volunteering to produce the vital NHS kit has also taken on a poignant significance as he and his family come to terms with the death of his father’s cousin from coronavirus in the past few days.
Joe Mumby said: “So far, the volunteer production line set up at JCB has produced 50 visors for distribution to surgeries in the Rocester and Uttoxeter area with the help of material donated by the JCB Academy.
“With the visor material now exhausted, Joe and Joe are concentrating their efforts on producing hundreds of headbands required for the visors before despatching them to a Warwickshire company for final assembly.”
James Morley is now diversifying his domestic production line to make components, which convert snorkelling masks for use with hospital ventilators.
‘Superhero nurse’ headbands
He is also rapid prototyping so-called ‘superhero nurse’ headbands which make face masks more comfortable for medical staff to wear as they fit on the back of the head rather than on to the back of ears.
Morley said: “While browsing social media on the state of the COVID-19 situation, I was aware that there was a huge shortage of medical-grade personal protective equipment for our NHS and other healthcare communities around the UK. It made me dust off my 3D printer and help contribute to the fight against COVID-19 and support our heroic NHS.
“I am glad I can help out and make use of my printer during this national crisis and keep myself active with volunteers during the furlough period. It is amazing what support there is out there and how much people would like to help.”
JCB chief innovation officer, Tim Burnhope, said: “JCB is delighted to be able to play a role in helping provide the fantastic NHS with protective equipment.
“The volunteer employees who are part of this amazing effort are also to be commended for stepping up at this time of national crisis.”
