PRODUCTION of specialist packs and medical devices for treating Covid-19 patients has been stepped up by a Bromsgrove firm during the pandemic.
Kimal has been creating the equipment solely for the NHS in response to the pandemic, providing for clinicians in critical and intensive care units through to operating theatres for heart transplants.
It created its specialist Nightingale procedure pack for the field hospital at the London ExCel through a dedicated multi-disciplinary team.
The firm saw the first 1,000 produced, sterilised and despatched on the March 24 with production increasing to 14,000 per week to support both UK and international efforts in the fight against Coronavirus.
Kimal turned to its longstanding banking partner Lloyds Bank to help it ramp up production of the specialised packs after income from its traditional business had fallen.
Alan Press, executive chairman of the company, which usually exports to 70 countries around the world including Australia and Brazil, said: “Whilst our packs are used in hospitals around the world, it felt morally right to pivot our efforts to help in the fight that’s right on our doorstep, here in the UK.
“From manufacturing to logistics, our team has worked tirelessly to meet the urgent needs of the NHS, all whilst complying with social distancing.
“While ensuring we maintain sufficient capacity to meet NHS needs, we are also now making our focused Covid-19 specialist packs available for our international distribution partners to help in their fight against this pandemic.
“But we wouldn’t have been able to supply the NHS and Nightingale Hospitals if it wasn’t for the financial support from Lloyds Bank.
“It’s given us the flexibility to ramp up in one area while slowing down in others – something that will be critical again as hospitals slowly begin to restart regular procedures.”
Darren Baker, Lloyds Bank’s relationship director, said: “It’s remarkable how swiftly the team at Kimal responded to the NHS’ call for supplies as it prepared for the peak of the UK outbreak.
“It had begun producing its specialist packs for the treatment of UK patients even before an order had been officially placed, showing a great sense of duty by the business.
“It’s an excellent example of one of the many firms that we’re working fast to support, whether to help front line efforts or to buffer against challenging times.”
