County Durham firm Kromek has struck a deal to start making respirators to treat people with coronavirus, with the aim of producing 1,000 within eight weeks.
The company, which normally produces detection technology from its base at Sedgefield’s NETPark, has signed a licencing agreement with Japanese firm Metran, a leading developer of medical ventilators.
Kromek expects to start producing the ventilators before the end of the month, and is aiming to make 2,000 units within 12 weeks. They will be able to buy in the UK and abroad.
Dr Arnab Basu, CEO of Kromek, said: “We have been working through the British Embassy in Japan with substantial help from the Department of International Trade and are delighted to be progressing this technology transfer.
“By combining our existing manufacturing skills with Metran’s proven technology, we expect to commence the manufacture of these robust ventilators from next week and deliver in a rapid manner.
“Any procurement of this equipment from Kromek is expected to have the additional benefit of safeguarding and creating employment in the North East as well as contributing to this region’s fight against COVID-19. We look forward to the ongoing relationship with Metran.”
Metran is Japan’s leading respirator manufacturer and has more than 30 years experience.
Metran president Dan Nitta said: “We have seen an unprecedented demand for ventilation equipment in recent months. We realised at an early stage of this crisis that we needed to think beyond our in-house manufacturing capability if we were to make a substantial impact.
“Therefore, we reached out globally to find partners who could help us to expand our capacity, and we are pleased to form this relationship with Kromek. With a combination of Metran’s experience in the ventilation field and Kromek’s skill as a designer and manufacturer of advanced electronic equipment, we believe that we can make a substantial contribution to the fight against COVID-19.”
