The Smiths Group and the Ventilator Challenge UK Consortium develop thousands of ventilators for the UK

Following the UK government’s request for manufacturers to significantly increase ventilator supplies, the Smiths Group and the Ventilator Challenge UK Consortium are working collectively to provide over ten thousand paraPAC plus ventilators.

Smiths has significantly ramped up its production already, from creating hundreds of ventilators a month to thousands, to help save lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Smith Group’s CEO, Andrew Reynolds Smith, stated: “We are playing a key role working with the Ventilator Challenge UK Consortium to put in place the production and component capability to increase manufacturing of our lightweight portable ventilator as fast as possible. It is inspiring to work with the very best UK technology and engineering companies with a spirit of grit and determination to deliver these life-saving devices to our incredible health service. I am proud of the tireless work that our people at Smiths and those working across this extraordinary consortium of British companies are doing to make a real difference.”

SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, stated: “The essential and extraordinary work of this consortium will offer a beacon of hope to our NHS and all of society and is a shining example of how the wider automotive and other manufacturing sectors can help in this time of crisis. The entire sector stands ready to help the national effort in every way possible, from production of critical medical equipment to supporting delivery of essential supplies, maintaining emergency service vehicles and providing transport for key workers to support the most vulnerable in our communities.”

Unite assistant general secretary for manufacturing, Steve Turner, stated: “The work of the consortium in bringing about cross-company and union collaboration means that no time will be wasted reinventing the wheel when building medical equipment desperately needed now in our NHS.”