JCB joins call to action for ventilator shortage

JCB is ready produce of ventilators at a production line that was previously closed due to COVID-19.

JCB received a direct appeal from Prime Minister Boris Johnson to manufacture ventilators for coronavirus patients.

Following the call, JCB Chairman Bamford agreed to help “in any way the company could”.

JCB is now in a position to restart production at a factory that was closed for nearly two weeks due to the coronavirus, but the company will now produce steel housings for a new design of ventilators from Dyson.

A minimum of 10,000 of the steel housings are on the cards for manufacture as soon as Dyson receives regulatory approval for its design.

Lord Bamford, JCB chairman, said: “The project has gone from design to production in a matter of days.

“We will naturally help with the production of more housings if these ventilators are eventually required by other countries.”

Currently, JCB is paying 80% of its employees’ pay, and will pay 100% of their normal pay for those who come back to work on the ventilator housings.