PONTYPOOL-BASED Freight Logistics Solutions has been helping support the NHS by delivering PPE and other equipment to frontline services during the Covid-19 crisis.

The award-winning logistics firm has also been supporting pharmaceutical businesses and other companies diversifying, producing and supplying PPE, equipment and other services to the sector.

FLS, which is based at Skewfields, Lower Mill, Pontypool, has delivered PPE and equipment directly to front line services including the the Royal Gwent Hospital, Llanfrechfa Grange Hospital, the University Hospital of Wales and many more across Wales.

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Earlier this year the firm was asked by the NHS for support in developing resilience to its transport infrastructure and supply chain and additionally to expand its digital freight options.

This resulted in FLS developing a bespoke online Client Portal with transport booking facility and document storage servicing the UK’s seven NHS regional distribution centres.

Since then, and as the NHS demands have grown, FLS has rolled out the system and is already operational with deliveries from four out of seven distribution centres. FLS have delivered to nearly 1,000 NHS sites around the UK, including hospitals, healthcare centres, universities and the new temporary hospitals such as the Nightingale in the London Excel.

With three other UK regional NHS distribution centres coming on line over the next few weeks FLS will continue to act as an important cornerstone to the NHS’s ongoing delivery requirements.

A spokesperson from NHS Supply Chain said: “FLS drivers have supported nearly 1,000 emergency lines of PPE being delivered to the NHS over the past few days. As we move through the phases of supporting the NHS there will be further challenges, yet unknown. I am now really confident they can be delivered with your continued support. Thank you for your fantastic service.”

Ieuan Rosser, managing director at FLS, said: “We are enormously proud to be playing a role in helping to tackle this pandemic and supporting the NHS. Being an innovative company ourselves it’s really exciting to witness Wales’ impressive entrepreneurial spirit rise up and to see businesses starting to manufacture products out of their norm to support the NHS.

"One of the latest latest projects we are involved with on behalf of Welsh Government and Industry Wales is express delivering critical parts for the new CTEX CPAP ventilator.

"This has been developed and produced by Ammanford-based engineering firm CR Clarke & Co (which specialises in thermoforming and plastic fabrication equipment) in conjunction with Dr Rhys Thomas. They are producing 100 a day and we are now in support of the roll out of medical trials. I’m very happy with my team’s contribution and proud to be doing what we can for the NHS.”

Cllr Joanne Gauden, executive member for economy, skills and regeneration at Torfaen council, said: “I am delighted that Torfaen-based Freight Logistics Solutions is using its skills, experience, knowledge and expertise in supporting the NHS locally, in Wales and across the UK. I would like to pay tribute to the team for all their hard work and dedication.”