Scottish firm making visors for NHS at rate of 20,000 a day

A Scotish firm that makes personal protective equipment (PPE) is now producing 1,1 million face visors for the NHS at a rate of 20,000 per day.

Clinical staff wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Picture: PA

Alpha Solway, based in Annan, is more than meeting the current demand and is about to start manufacturing FFP3 face masks – the type worn in intensive care units – with newly installed machinery as part of a new Scottish supply chain.

The company has more machinery arriving next month to increase their production capacity still further, and will soon be capable of producing over 1 million masks per week – well above NHS Scotland’s demand so creating export potential.

There’s also a positive implication for jobs, with around 30 new roles being created.

Scottish Government trade minister Ivan 
McKee said: “During this global pandemic it’s been incredibly heartening to see so many Scottish companies like Alpha Solway step up and support the national response.

“Their work with NHS Scotland and Scottish Enterprise is making a huge contribution to Scotland’s Covid-19 response, and demonstrates what can be achieved when the public and private sectors collaborate to tackle the many challenges caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic.

“Alpha Solway’s work in producing both visors and masks is helping to ensure that frontline staff have the protection they need.”