Vauxhall turns its attention to ventilators
Vauxhall workers from its Luton plant are now making ventilators to fight the coronavirus at the Luton site of Smiths Medical, a division of Smiths Group.
Smiths Medical has been providing ventilators to the NHS for more than a decade and has now been asked to provide more products.
Vauxhall is providing 20 assemblers plus a team leader and supervisor from its Kimpton Road Plant that produces the Vivaro van. Working on a static production line until at least 31 July, the team will conduct in-line quality testing as the ventilators are produced.
Stephen Norman, managing director, Vauxhall Motors, said: “I’m immensely proud that Vauxhall workers have been able to make such a valuable contribution during these difficult times. Our plant employees are used to working on lines where repeatable high quality is essential, and I’m confident that their skills will transfer exceptionally well to the production of much-needed ventilators for the NHS. Vauxhall will continue to work with the British Government to support other similar initiatives.”
Julian Fagge, strategy and M&A director, Smiths Group, said: “On behalf of Smiths, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to Vauxhall for joining the fight against this terrible disease. This initiative is part of the extraordinary efforts being made by British industry to help maximise production of ventilators and save lives.”
