Two Irish companies, SL Controls and SteriPack are working together to bring swab testing kits for Covid-19 to the US and global market.
The companies are also supporting each other to ensure the delivery of quality Personal Protective Equipment into the Irish and global markets.
SL Controls and SteriPack had been working together on other projects but when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, SteriPack started packaging nasal swab kits at its Lakeland Florida operations to meet the overwhelming demand from multiple US and global healthcare agencies.
SL Controls assisted in project management, procurement and delivery of automation and packaging solutions to increase the speed of the swab manufacturing output at the Florida plant.
In Ireland, SL Controls are supporting SteriPack Ireland in Mullingar, with the procurement, delivery and validation of equipment for the production of PPE.
SteriPack, which was established over 25 years ago in Ireland, is a contract manufacturer of medical devices and pharmaceutical products.
SL Controls, which was set up in Ireland almost 20 years ago and is an Enterprise Ireland client, delivers equipment system integrated solutions to a range of industries including medtech and pharma.
Shane McLaughlin, SL Controls Business Development Manager said this project will triple the speed of swab manufacturing on several lines.
"Aspects of the project include automation to feed swabs at very high speeds, as well as case packing and cartoning of packaged swabs," he said.
"In Mullingar, SL Controls brings its experience of project management and particularly vendor management to this project to enable rapid project delivery in 2020. This critical project which involves the creation of surgical masks supports SteriPack customers' Covid-19 and related needs," he added.
Gary Leonard, SteriPack Group Operations Director, said while the company is continuing to produce their usual medical devices and pharmaceutical products, they felt it was important to expand their capabilities and add various forms of PPE and nasal swabs to their offerings.
"We have worked with SL Controls for a number of years now and their input into these crucial projects has been invaluable to ensure we are able to ramp up output and ensure the products meet all the required safety standards," he said.
