Isle of Bute firm Flexible Technology Limited is producing around 100,000 printed circuit boards (PCBs) to make medical ventilators in the fight against Covid-19.
The Rothesay company has an order for 65,000 units from one of the world’s leading manufacturers of actuators, which are used in ventilators. Demand is such that it expects orders for a further 35,000.
FTL chair and managing director Peter Timms said: “This is an exceptional time for all of us, and our outstanding workforce are pulling out all the stops to meet increased demand for the Flexible Circuits used in the critical medical equipment. A key challenge for us in the current climate is to protect our employees and we have implemented a series of distancing and health measures to reduce risk.”
FTL, which was established in 1980, makes flexible circuit, flex-rigid circuit, multilayer and printed circuit boards to clients’ specification.Social distancing and PPE measures have allowed most of its 35 employees to continue working.
There has been a surge in demand for ventilators worldwide as Covid-19 patients are admitted to hospital suffering from lung failure.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has worked closely with FTL for several years, providing various forms of business support.
HIE Argyll area manager Morag Goodfellow said:“There are many examples of companies across the Highlands and Islands that are working on various aspects of tackling the Covid-19 crisis. FTL is a long-established firm and an important employer on Bute.
“It’s a great example of a company able to respond quickly to an urgent international need. Their expertise in this high-tech field is proving vital and we wish them every success in meeting the increased demand while protecting their employees.”
