Tuesday, 05 May 2020 10:28

COVID-19: Ag tech lends a helping hand

Written by  Mark Daniel
A supermarket worker wearing a face shield by Metalform. A supermarket worker wearing a face shield by Metalform.

The saying goes ‘when things get tough, the tough get going’ and this is happening here in New Zealand and further afield.

In Dannevirke, manufacturer Metalform, probably best known for products such as its Tow and Fert system, has stood down much of its workforce, but retained 30 employees to make face shields.

Aimed to protect frontline staff in hospitals, emergency services, pharmacies and supermarkets in the fight against COVID-19, the company is currently manufacturing around 7,000 face shields each day.

Metalform sales and marketing manager Tim Henman says it already had a small division within the factory making Class 2 medical devices like oxygen bottle holders for hospitals and emergency centres. 

“It made sense to us to use our in-house skills to produce the face shields and remove some of the reliance on imported products,” he told Dairy News.

“We presented the product to the Government’s procurement arm last month, but have not received a reply. In the meanwhile, we are making the units available to anyone with a need.”

The face shields, made from 0.25mm thick PET plastic, are mounted with an adjustable strap and foam band against the forehead in a one-size format, protecting the eyes against droplets. 

Manufactured to meet multiple standards including Reach, USFDA and ISO, the units also meet WHO standards for PPE used in infection and prevention control. Designed for multiple uses, the face shields can be easily cleaned with an antibacterial solution.

Further afield in the UK, JCB – best known for its bright yellow tractors, excavators and telehandlers – has ceased general production, but turned over part of its facilities to help with the urgent need for ventilators. 

Responding to a direct appeal from UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, to help plug the national ventilator shortage, JCB will produce steel housings for a new ventilator design from tech company Dyson.

A minimum of 10,000 items will be manufactured at the company’s cab factory in Uttoxeter, bringing 50 workers back to work following the recent shutdown. Commenting on the initiative, chairman Lord Bamford said, “we have driven the project from design to production in just a matter of days and recognising this is a global crisis, will produce more housings to meet the needs of other countries if required.”

More like this

Covid's urban/rural divide

According to a new study from the University of Otago, there was a visible rural/urban divide in Covid-19 vaccination rates.

Covid inquiry to visit Northland

Better understanding the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the people of Northland, and the role communities played in the pandemic response, will be the focus of a visit from the Covid-19 Inquiry, says inquiry chair Professor Tony Blakely.

Reflecting a challenging period

Damien O'Connor admits his six years in office were incredibly challenging, with Covid, droughts, floods, storms, M. bovis and volcanic eruptions to name a few.

Editorial: Time for change

OPINION: With election day only a few days away and advance voting well underway, there appears to be a mood for change in rural and provincial New Zealand.

More pain yet!

China's slower than expected recovery from Covid-19 and an oversupply of Australian sheep meat is causing problems for NZ sheep farmers.

Featured

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

Editorial: Passage to India

OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.

National

Govt urged to reduce ETS units

The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as…

Dairy sheep, goat woes mount

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand…

Machinery & Products

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

Can-Am showcases range

Based on industry data collected by the Motor Industry Association, Can-Am is the number one side-by-side manufacturer in New Zealand.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Papal visit

OPINION: European farmers are going to extreme lengths to have their message heard.

Thai egg tarts

OPINION: The hustle and bustle of one of Bangkok's most popular fast food outlets may feel a world away from…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter