DHL provides critical supply chain to support manufacture of ventilators for NHS

DHL Supply Chain today announces that it has joined VentilatorChallengeUK, a consortium of businesses including Rolls-Royce, Ford, Airbus and UK-based Formula 1 teams, including McLaren, to deliver at least 10,000 new ventilators to the NHS.

DHL will manage the inbound supply chain for two workstreams of VentilatorChallengeUK, which is ramping up manufacturing of approved ventilator designs.

The challenge is to create a supply chain from scratch to handle 3.2 million parts.  The operation will include the collection of parts from a new supplier base, as well as handling, storage, order pick and kitting, and delivery to final manufacturing locations.

Separately, the company will support Dyson on final distribution of its new ventilator. DHL is using its existing manufacturing logistics facilities and teams, who are expert in managing complex and time-critical manufacturing supply chains.   

Mike Bristow, MD, manufacturing logistics at DHL Supply Chain, said: “We’re honoured to be able to support this vital project and be part of a team providing lifesaving equipment to frontline NHS staff and patients. Normally a project as complex as this would take three months to pull together, but we’ve done it in a matter of days. It’s thanks to a team of very dedicated people as well as having the existing expertise and infrastructure that can quickly adapt to a range of needs.”