PPE manufacturer to create 400 jobs

PPE manufacturer Globus Group is creating more than 400 jobs after winning a multimillion-pound contract to make face masks for frontline NHS staff.

The Trafford-based company has begun recruiting for posts at its new 72,000 sq ft manufacturing facility at Stone Cross Park, near Golborne.

Globus director Steven Binnie said the expansion enables the group “to be deepening our commitment to the North West, creating new jobs and making our contribution to the vibrant regional economy”.

He said: “For generations we have protected UK workers exposed to respiratory hazards in the workplace. Our increased PPE manufacturing will enable dedicated frontline healthcare workers to do their jobs safely in the fight against COVID-19 as we move into this critical winter period.

“This equipment will be produced through our Alpha Solway division at the new Warrington manufacturing facility which, in addition to our growing facilities in South West Scotland, will create several hundred new jobs.”

It has also been awarded a PPE contract with NHS Scotland worth more than £50m to produce FFP3 respirator and Type IIR masks, fulfilling 87% of Scotland’s health and social care needs.

Alpha Solway pivoted its manufacturing capability to bring production into the UK in early 2020 to combat supply chain disruption caused by COVID-19, and its Dumfriesshire factories have already expanded their capacity to meet the NHS Scotland order, creating 200 new jobs for the area.

Binnie added: “We have committed tens of millions of pounds in capital investment for enhancement and expansion of our UK manufacturing capabilities. This will ensure we provide a long-term, sustainable, ongoing supply of PPE to NHS professionals, as well as key industry workers.

“Our new production plants will have product rolling off the lines by the end of October. At full capacity, our UK facilities will be capable of annual production of 200m FFP3 masks, 100m FFP2 masks, 1bn Type IIR medical masks, and 22m visors.”