Long-standing Groupe PSA UK partner Wingrove Motor Company has provided its main distribution centre to the NHS for use as a new manufacturing facility of vital PPE equipment.
Wingrove Motor Company was approached about facilities that could potentially be used to support Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s drive to increase the amount of protective equipment available to frontline staff tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.
The family-owned firm offered its 14,400 square foot distribution centre and warehouse facility on the Nelson Industrial Estate in Cramlington. The Wingrove team prepared the site while adhering to the strict social distancing protocols that are currently necessary.
After completing the task within just 48 hours, a team of NHS engineers will now install the machinery and equipment required to manufacture up to 7,500 protective gowns every week.
The gowns will be provided to staff in the North East region and, as production increases, stocks will be shared more widely across the UK. The initiative, which is set to last for an initial three months, could be extended if required.
Founded in 1925, Wingrove Motor Company represents Groupe PSA brands Citroën, Peugeot and DS Automobiles in the North East of England, and employs 90 people across its Newcastle West Road, Silverlink and Ashington retail and service centres.
Managing Director Josh Parker, who is part of the fifth generation of the founding family to work for the business, says: “We’re all in awe of the incredible work being done by NHS staff across the North East in the most difficult of conditions, and it’s a real honour and a privilege for us to be able to support them in this way.
“Our team has done a fantastic job preparing our distribution centre in such a short space of time and work is now ongoing to get the production line up and running as quickly as possible.
“We very much hope this project makes a real contribution to the health and well-being of people living in the communities that we’re proud to have been part of for almost a century.”
Sir James Mackey, Chief Executive of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are receiving PPE through the national NHS supply chain, but we know there is a huge demand for supplies globally which is a challenge.
“This extra support is vital to keeping stocks flowing as we use thousands of pieces of equipment every day across the region.
“The new facility in Cramlington and the wider support we have from businesses means we can manage supply, from design to the front-line.”
Image caption (back, from left) Sir James Mackey and Paul Dunn, Chief Executive and Finance Director of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, with (front) Sarah Rose, Managing Director of law firm Lucas Jacob Ltd, and Josh Parker, Managing Director of Wingrove Motor Company.