£3m funding helps auto supplier make PPE

A WARWICKSHIRE manufacturer has diversified its product line to create millions of PPE items after securing more than £3 million in new funding.

Autins Group designs, manufactures and supplies acoustic and thermal insulation, particularly to the automotive sector and clients such as BMW, Jaguar Land Rover and Volvo.

It is now manufacturing and supplying millions of PPE items, including 200,000 face masks and millions of parts for visors.

It manufactures its own nonwoven, microfibre material called ‘Neptune’ which is suitable for a wide range of applications where acoustic absorption, thermal protection or filtration is required. In response to Covid-19, the business decided to adapt the material in order to manufacture and supply face masks and parts for visors to customers across the UK.

The face masks are now undergoing testing for Europewide certification as a medical device and a respirator.

The Rugby-based company has been supported by a £3.05 million funding package from HSBC UK which came via the Government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.

Chief executive Gareth Kaminski-Cook said: “We felt a corporate and social responsibility to use our strong self-manufacture and design capabilities to produce our own PPE.

“We have secured funding which will enable us to continue supplying our customers and successfully adapt our business to continue with self-manufacture and supply of much-needed face masks and visors.

“This support will really help Autins to continue supplying its customers and continue delivering its growth strategy.” Suzy Verma, HSBC UK’s West Midlands area director, added: “Despite the challenging conditions, Autins Group has shown versatility to create new growth opportunities across the UK and Europe.

“HSBC UK was pleased to support the company as it adapted to provide on-going, vital support for its customers.”