The New South Wales Government has called on manufacturers to help fill gaps in the global supply of medical equipment and hygiene products, redeploying spare capacity to save lives and jobs.
Heavy Vehicle industry Australia (HVIA) has congratulated NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on challenging manufacturers to test their capabilities.
“Many parts of the Australian heavy vehicle industry are already engaged in vital roles, working full steam to support our supply chains,” Mr Hacking said.
“The ongoing technical support, repair and maintenance of the fleet is absolutely vital to ensure the freight task is able to function safely and productively.
“The demand on many areas of the industry has never been greater.
“Others have reluctantly shut their doors, limited output or reverted to split shifts in order to comply with health and safety regulations imposed in response to the COVID-19 crisis.”
Mr Hacking posed the question whether other HVIA members could rise to the challenge.
“Perhaps there are other members who are looking for opportunities to contribute, and this challenge might be just what the doctor ordered.”
“We extend the call to arms to all Australian manufacturers to consider if production lines can be converted to make the items we so desperately need,” he said.
Ms Berejiklian said the world was running short on hand sanitiser, handwash soap, gloves, cleaning products, protective clothing, masks, eyewear and paper products.
Importantly, providing this opportunity to manufacturers will also allow some businesses to keep people in jobs when they may not have been able to do so.”
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