Interflex offers automotive parts factory for Covid-19 effort

Interflex is offering up its production operations to help with the manufacture of items crucial to tackling the Covid-19 crisis such as PPE. The company’s spacious factory floor and range of automotive manufacturing equipment makes it a relatively straightforward task to convert operations.

This means that instead of making automotive insulation parts such as door and boot seals, interior trims and under carpet and arm rests, the facilities at Interflex could be used to manufacture PPE and other items so desperately needed during the Covid-19 crisis.

Redirecting production from automotive parts

Many of the company’s 45 staff were temporarily furloughed when its customers, who are mainly UK vehicle manufacturers, ceased production at the start of the outbreak. This means that the requirement for the range of high performance NVH and sealing solutions that Interflex usually manufacture drastically reduced almost overnight.

However, the company has equipment that could be useful in a range of contexts, from storage to manufacturing, such as making components for sound absorption in ventilator equipment.

Cutting, coating and adhesive facilities

The equipment that Interflex has available includes die cutting facilities to cut out components made from soft materials, as well as hot melt coating facilities and water based adhesive coating facilities. The company also has kiss cutting equipment suitable for sealing or spacer materials useful for seals around medical visors.

Managing Director Jim Griffin explains why he has come forward to offer Interflex’s facilities. “In the current situation, we are unable to manufacture NVH parts for our customers, but it seems a waste to have useful equipment and skilled staff available at a time when the country urgently needs products that we could help supply. If nothing else, we have a large facility so can utilise space to help reconfigure packages or offer storage as required. It’s important that we are inventive and look at ways of getting stocks of British-made PPE up.”

Supporting the national effort to source PPE

The shortage of PPE and the difficulties with procurement have been widely publicised and identified as one of the major challenges presented by the crisis. Being able to ensure a consistent and reliable source of PPE is one of the government’s five conditions that must be met in order to ease lockdown measures and help restore the economy as soon as possible.

Maintaining automotive business even during lockdown

Set up in 2003, Interflex 2000 works mainly with tier 1 automotive suppliers. Although the company is still working with customers and holding sales meetings online, as a non-essential business, production has been temporarily suspended while the UK is in lockdown.

“Even during the current crisis, we have orders ready and waiting to be fulfilled once government advice directs that we are able to re-start production,” adds Jim. “In the meantime, if anyone feels we can help with the production of PPE or related equipment in any way, they can get in touch via the Interflex website, by calling 01949 861 494 or by emailing sales@interflex2000.com.