During the Covid-19 pandemic Qimtek is reaching out to medical device companies to help them connect with contract manufacturing suppliers.
Qimtek owner Karl Wigart says: “We have registered with, and been accepted by, the government procurement channel and have been accepted. We have also reached out directly to over 100 medical device manufacturers to see how we can help – are getting some response and are continuing to talk to them.
Qimtek is an independent network for the UK engineering and manufacturing industry that connects active buyers and suppliers so both can grow their business.
Mr Wigart says: “Our supplier members desperately want to be able to help and are prepared to drop everything as soon as the call for anything to do with medical devices comes in. They are responding very quickly to the buyers.”
Qimtek has had a number of enquiries related to NHS equipment and materials. Some members are already working on these projects and supplying parts relating to medical devices.
Mr Wigart says: “People involved in medical devices are asking for additional supplies as they are ramping up production. We had an enquiry almost straight away for the manufacture of hospital beds, we have had people contacting us regarding collaborative projects and we have also had enquiries for mobility equipment relating to the pandemic.
He says that even though Qimtek staff are working from home with a reduced team it is business as usual.
“We are getting enquires through and are getting a really good response from suppliers on all the enquiries. Around a third of our members have told us that they are still working and want to be involved.”