Competitor Watch
Courier service DHL has joined forces with other businesses to take part in VentilatorChallengeUK, an initiative, which aims to deliver at least 10,000 new ventilators to the NHS.
According to DHL, they will be managing the inbound supply chain for two workstreams of VentilatorChallengeUK, which is ramping up manufacturing of existing, approved ventilator designs.
The challenge to create a ventilator supply chain from scratch to handle 3.2 million parts is a great example of how companies are coming together to help build the foundations needed to relieve some of the pressures on the NHS.
The operations involved will include the collection of parts from a new supplier base, as well as handling, storage, and delivery to final manufacturing locations. To carry out the operations DHL is using its existing manufacturing logistics facilities and teams, who are experts in managing complex and time-critical manufacturing supply chains.
This isn’t the first we’ve heard about companies supporting the NHS by providing the means to create and supply much-needed equipment and essentials. Parcel delivery service Yodel are working alongside other well-known businesses, including Tesco and Absolute Taste, to form SalutetheNHS.org - an initiative which aims to feed thousands of critical NHS workers over the next few months.
The ready to eat meals will be made available free of charge to ICU teams, anaesthetic teams and A&E staff, who are unable to leave their clinical areas during their 12-hour shifts, which has become the protocol adopted by all covid-19 designated hospitals.
Parcel delivery service DPD has announced that it will be providing a free delivery service to supply the NHS with protective 3D printed face shields.
DPD has joined forces with 3DCrowd, the community of 3D printer owners who are using their machines to help alleviate the acute shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline healthcare workers. Thousands of volunteers across the UK are giving up their time and resources to create face shields – a full-face visor on a plastic headband – which protects the whole of the front of the face.
DPD will be collecting the 3D printed component parts from volunteers and delivering them, free-of-charge, to a central hub in Sheffield where the face masks are being assembled by a company called Pimoroni. The delivery firm will then distribute the completed visors to various healthcare organizations across the country.
As part of our own invaluable efforts at ensuring those on the NHS and social care frontline are properly protected, Royal Mail is now working in partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MoD), eBay and Clipper Logistics to support a major Government initiative to ensure that frontline health and social care workers receive the PPE they need.
We have been working closely with eBay, who have developed a bespoke ordering system for the NHS and Clipper Logistics to manage distribution and large-scale orders direct to NHS hospitals.
Royal Mail is currently providing final mile delivery to NHS local health authority locations, GP practices and care homes.
