Project Overview
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, British engineering firms were called upon to support the urgent national effort to produce medical ventilators. Following a direct appeal from the UK Government, H V Wooding Ltd joined the Ventilator Challenge UK consortium, working in collaboration with Rolls-Royce and Smiths Medical to manufacture essential ventilator components under exceptional time pressure.
Challenge
H V Wooding was tasked with manufacturing three ventilator components within just two days, to support prototype and production readiness. With no face-to-face meetings possible due to lockdown restrictions, all communication and quality approvals with Rolls-Royce and Smiths Medical had to be managed remotely. The project demanded tight tolerances, medical-grade quality standards, and a fully traceable process, all under extremely short lead times.
Solution
The project was prioritised through the sample and initial submission phase, with a dedicated team assigned to manage every stage. A rapid supply chain was established for PEM and special-purpose inserts, with urgent collections arranged — including from Portsmouth Hoverport. Production was prioritised with overtime and weekend working, while a CMM inspection programme provided in-process verification, with data shared digitally for remote approval. Daily video conferences ensured full alignment and rapid decision-making throughout.
Results
Within 48 hours, H V Wooding successfully produced the first prototype and sample components for testing and production setup. Following successful approval, the company received a volume production order for 2,000 parts, delivered in full over a 2–4-week period. The project directly supported ventilator production at Smiths Medical and Rolls-Royce, helping meet urgent national healthcare needs during the height of the pandemic.
Added Value
H V Wooding provided a fully compliant, alternative supply chain for critical ventilator components, achieving 100% conformity and fast-track approval despite the unprecedented constraints of remote working. The company’s agile project management and technical expertise ensured reliable, rapid delivery — and the experience gained was shared to support other areas of the UK ventilator supply chain during the production ramp-up phase.
Trusted by Leading Brands
H V Wooding works with world-class organisations across medical, aerospace, energy, and precision engineering sectors. Long-term partners such as Rolls-Royce, Honeywell, Schneider Electric, GE Renewables, and CERN rely on our ability to deliver precision-engineered solutions quickly, reliably, and to the highest standards.
Commitment to Quality
As an ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 accredited manufacturer, H V Wooding ensures strict quality control across all production processes. Our Buffer Management System, advanced CMM inspection, and continuous improvement culture enable rapid, repeatable precision manufacturing — even under the most demanding conditions.
