Wrexham companies helping to manufacture personal protective equipment

Companies across Wrexham have been helping to manufacture and produce personal protective equipment (PPE) for front line workers.

Riva UK Ltd, based on the Wrexham Industrial Estate, began designing a protective face visor back in early April.

It now has to capacity to produce thousands of protective items each week.

Carl Bird, managing director said: “Despite national shortages of materials and, thanks to the support of some key local suppliers providing components to our production line, we now have capacity to produce 100,000 visors per week.

“The product is now CE Certified and is being used to help protect NHS staff and workers across the UK.”

Advance Spares Ltd (ASL) based on Vauxhall Industrial Estate in Ruabon is one of the suppliers supporting the production of these visors, and ASL are supplying the visors, as well as a range of other PPE equipment including masks, gloves, thermometers and hand sanitiser, to their customers in the automotive and other industries around Wrexham.

Adrian Tant, sales director at ASL said: “We really want to support local industry as we know these products are hard to obtain and are so needed to get our local economy up and running.

“We are still supplying our core fastener products globally as well as supporting many manufacturers who are currently making ventilators and other medical equipment. We have had to adapt our working practices to ensure we can stay open, it has been a very steep learning curve of which I am very proud of the ASL team.”

Another local company, Silvergate Plastics have also joined the fight against Covid-19 and they have seen a significant spike in orders coming in from manufacturers of hand-sanitiser and disinfectant bottles.

Lead Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, Cllr Terry Evans, said: “All Wrexham companies involved in the provision of essential goods including PPE during the pandemic are to be commended and thanked for their massive contribution to keeping people safe.

“They have stepped forward during a time of national crisis and changed what they produce and how they organise their workforce which has meant a huge steep learning curve for all those involved.

“Thank you for your contribution and to all businesses across Wrexham who have answered the call to help.”

Local ward member and Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr David A Bithell, said: “I would like to add my thanks to all the companies involved.

“It’s very reassuring to see a local company so willing to step up to answer the call to help during these very difficult and challenging times. Well done everyone and please stay safe.”