Stryking the right note

Hospitals and nursing homes are to benefit as Stryker’s Cork facility has adapted its production to make thousands of face shields.

Before the current Government restrictions were announced last month, Stryker Ireland had already begun introducing policies to reduce its manufacturing facilities to essential activities only.

At the end of March, the Stryker Innovation Centre in Carrigtwohill received a request from the HSE highlighting the ongoing needs for PPE supplies, specifically face shields. Stryker Ireland initiated a feasibility project to determine if face shields could be designed and manufactured at the Tullagreen facility in Carrigtwohill.

Prototypes were sent to CUH for feedback and modifications were made to ensure the face shields met the specific needs of the HSE workers. This work was primarily completed by members of the Stryker Ireland team who volunteered to return to work to support this initiative. Stryker Ireland is now supplying face shields to 11 hospitals and nursing homes in Ireland, with over 100,000 face shields on order.

Kevin Manley, Senior Director, Global Research and Engineering Services, Stryker, said: “When the HSE got in touch, we worked swiftly with CUH to ensure the face shield would meet the specific needs of healthcare workers.”

David Butler, Vice President Manufacturing, Joint Replacement, Stryker, said: “Turning this project around in such a short time took dedication with teams of volunteers working shifts over 24 hour days to deliver the product. Our employees wanted to contribute to the national emergency.”