Essay on Manufacture and Supply of Face Masks in the UK

Part A

1.0 Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the wearing of face masks in public space as preventative measure to the spread of the virus. Most countries have gone into lockdown as a way of preventing any social contact that can increase the spread of coronavirus (Cheng, Lam and Leung, 2020). As such, the demand for face coverings has risen across many countries in the world, especially within the United Kingdom. As a strategy to ensure that the public wears face masks, most countries have imposed legislation compelling everyone to ensure social distance and wear face masks. It is important to examine the manufacturing of face masks in the UK to understand the scope of operations, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic (Allison et al., 2020). Equally, it is important to examine operational aspects of the supply chain amid the pandemic. Exploring the manufacturing and supply of face masks in the UK will help get a deeper insight to important economic concepts.

2.0 Manufacturing of Face Masks in the UK

The fact that wearing of face masks has been made mandatory in most countries of the world has led to an increased in their demand. There is a need to meet the rising demand in the market hence the need for more manufacturing (Cheng, Lam and Leung, 2020). In the UK, manufacturing of face masks is done by different players in the country including private businesses, government sponsored manufacturing, the fact that the government requires people to be wearing face masks in pubic as they ease lockdown restrictions means more masks. It is important to note that some the masks sold in the country have been imported and donated from other countries.

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2.1 Private manufacturing of Face Masks in the UK

There are various companies in the UK that manufacture medical equipments and face masks within the country. Such companies are playing a crucial role in supplementing the high demand that is being experienced on a global front (Javid, Weekes and Matheson, 2020). It is important to note that with the high demand, the government or imported supplies might not be able to meet the rising demand. There is a need to license more companies that can increase the production of face masks in the UK to meet the increasing demand. Examples of firms manufacturing face masks in the UK to meet the high demand include Amphenol Invotec, Brandon Medical, Cardiff University Parc Institute of Manufacturing, and Dextra Group. The private sector is doing a great job to ensure the demand is handled without risking supplies in the near future (Allison et al., 2020). The fight against the pandemic is still on and people have to take preventative measures amidst easing of lockdown restrictions.

2.2 Government Sponsored Manufacturing

The NHS team plays an important role in the fight against the virus and ensuring they are well protected is the priority of the government. Protection for workers means the NHS does not run short of medical supplies (Novak and Loy, 2020). The government of the United Kingdom recently announced that it has acquired over 10 production lines to supplement the manufacture of face masks. The government reported through the health ministry reported that the step to acquire the production lines is meant to shoot down any risk of scarcity. There are several British firms that have the ability and capability of helping new production lines to meet the demand. According to the government, the production lines are expected to produce millions of face coverings every week (Javid, Weekes and Matheson, 2020). A further 10 production lines were commissioned by the government, which is expected to roll out the second phase in late August. As such, the government of the UK plays an important role in sponsoring the manufacture of face masks for the population of the UK, especially to the NHS.

2.3 Other manufacturers

Besides the private sector and government sponsoring the manufacture of face masks in the UK, there are production sites and companies that operate overseas (Barr, 2020). Examples include Chinese and American companies that have helped in mass production of medical equipment and face masks to fight coronavirus. The demand for face coverings during the pandemic has gone high to an extent of the country needing extra external help to meet the ever rising need. Donations from private companies and other countries make an important contribution to the domestically produced face masks, which are essential in reducing the rising demand (Novak and Loy, 2020). Manufacturers receive a number of orders from both public and private