The Covid pandemic, amongst other things, focussed minds and brought people together. It moved manufacturers into making new items to support the response to Covid.

One such initiative was a drive by a number of well-known Welsh companies to create a collaborative consortium specifically to help meet the complex needs of Welsh based manufacturers. Wales Manufacturing (Made in Wales) is industry led and is a knowledge sharing space that enables manufacturers to discuss and offer solutions to each other.

Manufacturing Wales is actively using the network to discuss the complex picture now being faced by the sector when Covid restrictions were removed in Wales on March 28th.

This gives rise to a whole range of issues for many businesses who are asking “how will we deal with an employee who tests positive? What Covid PPE (if any) is now relevant for our workforce? How are we contingency planning for possible rising Covid rates in our workforce?  Will we pay staff testing positive to stay at home? Will we pay for lateral flow tests? These are the types of questions Manufacturing Wales members are addressing.

Heather Anstey-Myers CEO , Manufacturing Wales explained:

The field of play for manufacture is complex but working together through an industry led group like Manufacturing Wales means that challenges can be  shared, considered and discussed which enables our members to co-support each other, plan ahead and be both more responsive and resilient.

Frank Holmes, Chair  of Manufacturing Wales said:

Welsh manufacturing is well placed to face these challenges and better placed when they are able to discuss these and offer solutions that work for them. That’s why our membership is growing and why creating a place for conversations like these is absolutely vital.