A Port Talbot-based manufacturer of industrial measuring instruments has sourced enough plastic to make up to two million face shields for NHS staff in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
With huge demand, mainly driven by the NHS in Wales, Rototherm Group has also recruited 30 staff with plans to take on even more.
It is now producing 100,000 face shields a week, making the SME one of the biggest producers of the vital equipment in the UK alongside car giants in Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover.
Director of Rototherm, based on the Kenfig Industrial Estate, Tarkan Congar, said: "We were horrified by the poor levels of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, that we felt we had to do something.
"Having increased our plastic supply from local firms we now have capacity to produce up to two million face shields and we are now producing 100,000 a week.
"To meet huge demand we have created 30 additional jobs and plan to create a further 20 to 30 jobs in the coming weeks.
"This really is a win-win double whammy, in creating new jobs and providing vital protective equipment for health staff in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
"As a proud Welsh-based SME, it's a great feeling to be one of the biggest makers of face shields in the UK. Our staff have been fantastic."
Rototherm began production of face shields at the beginning of the month with 1,000 made on the the first day. It has been rapidly ramping up production ever since. It is also supplying NHS trusts in other parts of the UK.
Mr Congar said the firm's usual production was unaffected at it supplied many critical sectors, including the defence, oil and gas and pharmaceuticals industries."
Prior to the pandemic the firm was employing around 90 at its Margam factory.
