25 photos showing Airbus workers making life saving ventilators for the NHS
An empty space at a former science facillity Broughton was turned into a production line to help in the fight against Covid-19
This a first look inside AMRC Cymru in Broughton where Airbus workers have transformed it from a research and development facility, into an assembly line, to produce medical ventilators for the UK, in the fight against Covid-19.
Working as part of the Ventilator Challenge UK consortium, more than 550 Airbus employees are working around the clock, to produce at least 15,000 ventilators for the NHS.
Our chief photographer, Ian Cooper was given unique access to capture the aerospace giant producing ventilators.
Following approval from the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Welsh Government-owned AMRC Cymru has been helping to build up to 1,500 Penlon Prima ESO2 ventilators each week.
The device is a simplified version of an existing Penlon model and is the first new ventilator approved by the UK medical regulator in the fight against Covid-19.
Airbus is making about 50% of the parts of each finished ventilator at AMRC Cymru, assembling absorber units and flowmeters.
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The finished parts then join up with ventilator units made by Ford in Dagenham and trolleys made by McLaren in Woking to make the finished unit. After final testing by Penlon in Abingdon, the ventilators are ready for supply to the NHS.
Governments around the world have been trying to boost the number of available mechanical breathing devices that can supply air and oxygen, crucial for the care of people who suffer lung failure, which can be a complication of Covid-19.
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Welsh Government Minister for Economy and North Wales, Ken Skates, has said: “The way the workforce has adapted to the new production line is truly remarkable.
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"I’d also like to recognise the flexibility of the team at AMRC to support this critical work, which will play such a vital role in the NHS here in Wales and further afield. There can be no doubt that the work taking place in Broughton will save lives.”
Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators
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Social distancing measures in the staff canteen
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Lifesaving saving ventilators are being made
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)3 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19.]()
Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)4 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19.]()
Inside the AMRC Cymru facility
(Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live)5 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19.]()
Inside the AMRC Cymru facility
(Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live)6 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19.]()
Lifesaving saving ventilators are being made
(Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live)7 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19. Pictured: Social distancing measures in the staff canteen. Photo by Ian Cooper]()
Social distancing measures in the staff canteen
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)8 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19. Photo by Ian Cooper]()
Inside the AMRC Cymru facility
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)9 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19. Pictured: Social distancing measures in the staff canteen. Photo by Ian Cooper]()
Social distancing measures in the staff canteen
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)10 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19.]()
Airbus workers are building the ventilators
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)11 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19.]()
Inside the AMRC Cymru facility
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)12 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19.]()
Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)13 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19. Pictured: Parts are stored ready for distrubution. Photo by Ian Cooper]()
Inside the AMRC Cymru facility
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)14 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19. Photo by Ian Cooper]()
Inside the AMRC Cymru facility
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)15 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19.]()
Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)16 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19.]()
Lifesaving saving ventilators are being made
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)17 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19.]()
Airbus workers are building the ventilators
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)18 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19.]()
Inside the AMRC Cymru facility
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)19 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19. Pictured: Employees have to use hand sanitizer in the marquees ahead of going in and leaving site. Photo by Ian Cooper]()
All staff and visitors adhere to strict hygiene measures - a hand wash marquee at the entrance
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)20 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19.]()
Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)21 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19.]()
Each worker has their own desk during their lunch breaks
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)22 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19.]()
Airbus workers are building the ventilators
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)23 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19.]()
Inside the AMRC Cymru facility
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)24 of 25![AMRC Cymru at Broughton. Airbus factory workers have switched from making aircraft wings to ventilators as the UK government look to increase production of the essential medical equipment needed to tackle Covid-19. Photo by Ian Cooper]()
AMRC Cymru building at the Airbus factory site in Broughton
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