Cork-based laptop recycling firm Wisetek can now assemble up to 50 ventilators a day for Irish hospitals during the coronavirus crisis.
The company repurposed one of its production lines in 24 hours to do so, with supportive firms providing the components for the ventilators.
Working with the HSE (Health Service Executive), Wisetek’s chief executive Sean Sheehan said that the ventilators could be made available for export to other countries once Irish demand was satisfied.
Wisetek was deemed an essential operation because of its work with firms including Dell EMC and Irish healthcare agencies, reported the Irish Independent.
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It specialises in securely deconstructing used IT hardware such as laptops, to allow the components to be recycled.
The firm was approached in March about ventilator assembly work.
Mr Sheehan added: "We are very proud to be able to undertake a project like this because we all understand the importance of supporting the Government and HSE at this time.”
"We have been overwhelmed by the support not just of our suppliers but from the wider business community."
One supplier, O'Connell Batteries, opened its shop over Easter weekend and hand-delivered products directly to Wisetek.
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Source: Independent.ie