April/May 2020

NEWS PCL’s production facility in Sheffield has recommenced limited operations to support key sectors who remain open for essential work, including the automotive industry and emergency services. Production was temporarily suspended following the Prime Minister’s announcement forbidding all but necessary travel. However, restricted production and logistical activities have resumed following further dialogue with government representatives. This will enable PCL to meet requirements where their products are needed, while also providing customer support. The Sheffield site is now up and running subject to strict provisions and PCL has introduced adaptations to the production process, using skeleton staff who are being protected through meticulous measures including social distancing and the provision of appropriate PPE and cleaning equipment. Meanwhile, remote working continues for office staff so PCL can continue to offer a high level of customer service. Safety first Sales director Lee Wright says: “Our first priority is the welfare of our employees, not only from a physical point of view on the factory floor, but also in terms of mental health and general well- being of all employees, including those working remotely. We have put all possible safety measures in place whilst introducing ways of us all staying connected as a team, for example by sharing photographs of our temporary workspaces at home and of colleagues working in production to show that we’re all in this together. “Where operations are concerned, we will immediately endeavour to fulfil orders placed during our temporary suspension. To ensure the safety of our employees, we have a reduced team so lead times may be impacted slightly, but otherwise it’s business as usual to help keep essential work moving in the UK with minimal interruption. “As always we extend our very best wishes to everyone during this difficult and uncertain time, and our team is available throughout to offer advice and support.” A new project has been launched to unite engineers from across the world to help solve challenges deriving from the Covid- 19 pandemic. Professor Peter Ogrodnik, a biomedical engineer from Keele University, is leading the project in collaboration with the Institution of Engineering Designers. The Institution is calling for engineers and designers to join it and help tackle some of the biggest issues affecting the NHS and care providers, which could include creating a device to enable a frail person to accept a food parcel, the mass production of ventilators and testing surgical masks after they’ve been sterilised. Pressure The NHS and other care providers across the world are suffering under the pressure of the Covid-19 outbreak. The project called Engineers for the NHS will enable engineers, designers and institutions to collaborate on challenges sent directly from the NHS or from other care providers across the world. Professor Ogrodnik comments: “As institutions we have access to some of the best engineering design minds in the world, some of whom are at home with time on their hands. We are suggesting that they could supply some of their spare time to a coordinated provision of engineers and designers focused on solving the problems deriving from the Covid-19 outbreak. Clearly the ventilator shortage is foremost in everyone’s minds but there are other issues too, many of which can be solved by the collective thoughts of engineers across the world.” Collaboration Libby Meyrick, chief executive officer for the Institution of Engineering Designers, says: “Unless our engineers and designers know of the issue no solution can be forthcoming. We therefore intend to lead a project that enables all of our members to collaborate on problems sent directly from the NHS or from other care providers across the globe. We would like institutions to enable their engineers to volunteer in this international effort.” The project has launched a new webpage for engineers to sign up to volunteer and will be available for the NHS and care providers to submit their issues they need support with. The problems the initiatives receive will then be filtered through to different groups of engineers across the UK. Visit: www.institution-engineering- designers.org.uk for more information. Professor calls for engineers to help solve NHS and healthcare issues amid pandemic PCL’s Sheffield factory reopens to drive essential production forward 16 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS April/May 2020 www.hpmag.co.uk Essential production continues at PCL.