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Hardshell to produce 1 million face masks a day at new Cardiff factory
Global defence equipment manufacturer, Hardshell, has brought in surgical mask making machines to create a new factory in Cardiff with the ability to produce up to one million fluid resistant face masks per day for health, social care and other key workers, across Wales and the rest of the UK.
The Welsh Government has worked closely with Hardshell and assisted with the logistics of transporting the machines from overseas into Cardiff.
In addition, the Welsh Government is working with more than 300 businesses throughout Wales to produce supplies to respond to coronavirus, including PPE.
Hardshell is to produce up to 1 million face masks a day for health, social care and other key workers at a new factory in Cardiff / Picture: Getty/iStock
Deputy minister for economy and transport, Lee Waters, said: “Businesses are going to enormous efforts to help us beat coronavirus and ensure we have a long-term supply of vital PPE items to protect Welsh frontline healthcare staff, key workers and many more across the UK. The significant contribution of Welsh firms and their desire and energy to meet demand has been truly fantastic and I want to thank each and every company for all that they are doing.
“Hardshell is the latest to join the national effort and the fact that they’re planning to make a million face masks each and every day is quite remarkable. Their work in producing much needed fluid resistant face masks, which we know are in huge and ongoing demand because of the regularity with which they need to be changed, will be vital in supporting people and helping save lives.
“By working collaboratively and with urgency, the Welsh Government has been able to transport supplies and equipment needed from abroad and bring it safely to Wales. Because of our success we are also able to provide mutual-aid to other parts of the UK who are facing shortages.”
Hardshell’s chief executive officer, Anil Kant, added: “We care passionately about saving lives. Our key focus is the development of protective coating technologies with industrial and life-saving applications. It was an important decision for us to provide our expertise and skilfully increase the UK’s mask making capability to help protect the lives of patients, health care staff and key workers.
“We are collaborating with Cardiff University and other regional enterprises on our current and next generation products and will be working tirelessly over the next few weeks to get production up and running from 250,000 to a million masks a day.”