THE famous home of Henry vacuum cleaners has transformed part of its production line to help the fight against coronavirus.
Numatic, based in Millfield, Chard, has been working around the clock to provide support to NHS, including production of face masks, face shields and the free loan of cleaning equipment of NHS cleaners.
The research and development teams, production specialists and manufacturing teams have been re-tooled in response to the pandemic.
So far Numatic has shipped 10,000 units, and are hoping to produce 10,000 a day.
Simon Lawson, managing director of Numatic International, said: “I cannot thank the Team enough here at Numatic for their efforts in getting an additional product into production, in unprecedented times, for our NHS.”
Find information, visit numaticsupport.com.
The home of Henry and Hetty also received praise from the staff's trade union, GMB.
Numatic's new production has seen face shields sent to Worcestershire NHS Trust, West Midlands Ambulance Service, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and The Gibraltar Health Authority.
The company is also offering NHS providers free loan of additional cleaning equipment within frontline healthcare environments.
GMB organiser Ester Compton said: "I cannot commend Numatic enough.
"In a time of national crisis they have not only come to the fore in protecting their staff, but also getting involved in the great national effort to support our NHS and beat this crisis.
"As a Union, we stand behind Great British manufacturers.
"They don't only create iconic British products like Henry and Henrietta vacuum cleaners, but also they protect and look after the workers that make the company great."
Numatic normally makes more than a million vacuums every year from the factory in Chard, and exports to more than 80 countries around the world.
As well as producing urgently needed equipment for NHS staff, Numatic has shared the designs for the face shields online.
A Numatic spokesman said: "This initiative is aimed to provide an open source solution, allowing others to access this quality, robust, but simple to manufacture face shield."
You can also purchase face shields through the Numatic website, with priority being given to NHS trusts.
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