Scottish cycling kit manufacturer Endura would like to share news of the work they have been doing to support the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic that makes use of their expertise in rapid garment development and advanced production techniques.
Starting this week, the Livingston-based company has been working in collaboration with Keela, Redwood TTM and Transcal to provide significant volumes of PPE to NHS Scotland. Using specialist fabrics produced by Don & Low, the project will provide more than half of the non-sterile gowns needed for health and care workers in Scotland. Working with NHS
Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service, the project developed a design specification for a PPE gown that improved the manufacturability to facilitate a rate of production that met NHS Scotland's requirements. Base materials and finished gowns have been subjected to rigorous testing to ensure they comply with the relevant material and performance standards.
In addition, Endura has also been working with NHS England to design and develop reusable gowns using a waterproof, breathable fabric membrane donated by their sister brand, Berghaus. Samples are with NHS England for certification and will hopefully be able to go into production soon. Using their existing stocks Endura donated all of their available stock of suitable eyewear to surgeries and health centers, and through their supply chain, they have sourced quantities of face masks and PPE eyewear that they will be able to send out to care homes and childcare hubs that are in urgent need.
With the help of Pentland Brands, Endura has also been able to connect NHS Scotland with reliable, known mask manufacturers who can provide surgical masks (Type IIR, Type II), certified respirator masks (FFP2, FFP3) and protective eyewear (EN166). Manufacturing activities are being carried out on a transparent open book not-for-profit basis, whilst eyewear and mask are being donated free of charge.
Endura’s founder and Managing Director Jim McFarlane says: “As a result of this work, our headcount is increasing again and so we continue to adapt the way we work to ensure the safety of staff. We’ve enabled appropriate social distancing, split shifts with no overlap, and introduced sanitary cleaning between shifts. The Pentland Brand family of companies has a pandemic response team who provide us with updates on best practice as it becomes available. These continue to be challenging times and so we want to thank you, our customers, for your ongoing support and the amazing Endura team for the efforts they’re putting in.”
Background information on work with NHS Scotland:
The new supply chain forms part of the Scottish Government’s two-pronged ‘make and buy’ strategy to source PPE gowns. It fulfills the ‘make’ priority to establish a supply chain for gowns manufactured in Scotland and will complement the ongoing ‘buy’ activities to ensure that supply continues to meet demand.
The material manufactured by Don & Low is an 83g/m2 white polyethylene spunbond nonwoven with white polyethylene film. The non-sterile PPE gowns will be manufactured in line with the Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS) published ‘Guidance for new high volume manufactures of Covid-19 PPE’ and testing standards and completions have been ratified by Health Protection Scotland
Key features include
- Non-sterile gown
- Latex-free
- Protection from microbial penetration
- Fluid repellent material
- Thumb loop for added cuff security
- Overlap at back with adjustable ties
Further details about the other companies involved available on their websites:
Pentland Brands // Berghaus // Don and Low // Keela // Redwood TTM Ltd // Transcal
Endura is committed to #RidingItOut together!
ABOUT ENDURA
Endura was founded in Scotland in 1993 with a no-nonsense commitment to advancing the performance and function of cycling apparel. The brand immediately launched a host of novel and challenging products that earned iconic status globally and set benchmarks for functionality and durability. This philosophy and focus on disruptive innovation have carried the brand from Scottish local hero to global market leader.
