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Innova and Sharp to create 300 new jobs in Wales
Innova Medical Group, the world’s largest provider of rapid antigen tests, has partnered with Sharp Packaging to start producing millions of Innova’s Covid-19 lateral flow tests per day in the UK. Additional investments are set to follow later in the year to further expand production capacity.
Through the partnership with Sharp Packaging, which is part of UDG Healthcare and a specialist in contract packaging and clinical services, Innova’s investment will add approximately 300 new jobs across South Wales. The investment will see the delivery of the initial packaging machinery at Sharp’s Rhymney facility in South Wales at the end of June, with production expected to begin in early July.
The Rhymney operation will be one of the largest facilities of its kind and the first to produce Innova’s lateral flow tests in the UK. Innova expects the production capacity from the Welsh facility will fill a significant amount of the central government’s future demand.
A partnership between Innova Medical and Sharp Packaging will see 300 new jobs created in South Wales / Picture: Sharp Packaging Services
Daniel Elliott, president and CEO of Innova Medical Group, said: “Innova understands the importance of speed in the fight against the pandemic and strategic contract manufacturing allows us to start local production quickly. By domestically sourcing as much of the processes as possible, we are confident this partnership with Sharp will deliver value to our UK customers. We look forward to the launch of Innova’s lateral flow test production in Wales and to expanding that into other markets and regions across the UK.”
Ian Morgan, general manager, Sharp UK, added: “We are delighted to collaborate with Innova to support the manufacturing of its Covid-19 lateral flow test kits, right here in the UK where they’ll be used. This important partnership not only allows us to expand our facility by a third but will add nearly 300 new jobs, providing much needed opportunities for our local community.”