Wakefield companies step up to help during coronavirus crisis

With 116 staff, robotics specialist Sewtec Automation says it has the capabilities to produce the machines which could save lives.

For patients critically ill with Covid-19, ventilators get oxygen into the lungs and remove carbon dioxide from the body when people are unable to breathe on their own.

The NHS needs around another 20,000 additional machines as soon as possible.

Sewtec Automation registered its details on the government website on March 17 following the call for help from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and is standing by to mobilise its resources.

Managing director for the company, Mark Cook, said: “We are eager to help the NHS by using our skills to produce ventilators. Our in-house engineering skills are world-class, directly relevant to the manufacture of precision medical devices and available to help in any capacity, however small.

“We recognise that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is probably overwhelmed with current events.

“We just want them to know we are standing by to play our part during this extraordinary set of circumstances.

“If anyone can help us make connections to accelerate the project, I would ask that they please contact me directly.”

Meanwhile, Ossett-based A Davies Transport Ltd has joined more than 700 other logistics businesses to put their fleet at the government’s disposal during the crisis.

They have offered up their trucks for the distribution of critical emergency and food supplies, should they be called upon.

Andy Davies, managing director for the firm, said: “We are proud to play our part in this unique collaboration as the entire UK industry joins forces to transport the most vital supplies.

“Collectively our sector has unrivalled resource and the individual companies are local experts with vast experience of express distribution and a key link in the UK supply chain.”

With The government ordering all pubs and non-essential shops to shut, and enforcing a lockdown on residents, Ossett Brewery has been given the go-ahead to continue a delivery service.

With panic-buying leading to bare shelves at the supermarkets, including alcohol, the Low Mill Road is continuing to brew.

Operating a skeletal staff, the delivery drivers are following a “strict delivery protocol” and leave the beer on the doorstep.

A spokesman for the company said: “We are continuing to brew and package beer as we are a component of the food supply chain.” Call 01924 26133 for details.