AIRBUS workers have been thanked for 'stepping forward' when the country was in need.

Jack Sargeant, MS for Alyn and Deeside, has written to those involved in the Ventilator Challenge UK which was formed back in March.

Thousands of ventilators were urgently produced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic which saw the UK aerospace, motorsport and medical sectors come together.

In a matter of days, Airbus, Siemens and AMRC colleagues rapidly transformed the Welsh Government-owned AMRC Cymru facility in Broughton from a research and development centre into an assembly line to produce medical ventilators on an unprecedented scale.

At the height of production - following approval by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) - the teams helped build up to 1,500 Penlon Prima ESO2 ventilators each week; equivalent to six months’ normal UK ventilator production in just one day.

Jack Sargeant told the Leader: "I am grateful for the opportunity to say thank you to these workers. What they have achieved in a short space of time is remarkable. When the country needed ventilators they stepped forward.

"It’s now time the U.K. Government did the same and stepped up to save skilled jobs that the country so badly needs. We need a support package aimed at every worker in the aerospace sector."

 

 

The Leader previously reported that last month, Airbus confirmed it would be cutting over 1,400 jobs at its Broughton Site alone.

Politicians and unions joined forces to call on UK Government to 'act now' and step in with support for the aerospace sector.

Vice president Paul McKinlay said they were 'determined' to do all they can to save unnecessary job losses, such as a shorter working week and voluntary redundancy.

In a letter sent to Airbus workers, Jack Sargeant MS said: "I wanted to write and convey my thanks for the incredible work you have done in meeting the ventilator challenge.

"The country needed your skills to save lives and you stepped up and delivered. We all owe you a debt of gratitude, that should not be forgotten.

"You are highly skilled individuals who have demonstrated a level of adaptability and professionalism that allowed you to build a production system in just 25 days.

"This system and your skill and hard work have delivered 10,000 ventilators for our NHS, incredible.

"I am a time served engineer myself and have some insight into the complexities of the challenge you have more than met.

"We all hope that we have seen the worst of COVID and that a vaccine will soon be on its way but the risk of a second wave is still real.

"If that were to happen the ventilators that you have produced will be priceless.

"On behalf of myself and the community I represent, can I say thank you.

"I am committed to supporting the aerospace industry in North East Wales. If I can be of assistance to you or your family in anyway, please do not hesitate to get in touch."