AN EAST LANCASHIRE manufacturing giant has joined the coronavirus fight by switching production to produce 60,000 parts for safety visors every week.

What More UK, based in Altham, has announced it will now produce parts for visors, with managing director and Accrington Stanley chairman Andy Holt saying the firm will continue to produce public personal protective equipment (PPE) “until the country has enough”.

The company says the move will enable it to help save lives and protect the NHS.

Tony Grimshaw OBE, a company director, said: “In situations like this, times of national emergency, everyone has to play their part. 

“We are proud of the way the nation has responded to this challenge and we are pleased to be able to offer our skills and expertise.”

Since its formation 20 years ago, What More UK has gone from being a small start-up, to exporting to 73 countries around the world. 

They are the organisation behind the home storage brand Wham and they also produce housewares of all varieties, including bakeware, cookware, gardenware; and products for the home laundry and utility rooms.

A company spokesman said: “Not since the dark days of war have the country’s manufacturing companies been called upon to support the greater national goals. What More UK have jumped into action out of a sense of national duty.

“In years to come we will be able to look back with pride at how we responded to this challenge. 

“Some put rainbows in their windows, many have joined in national rounds of applause, and now What More UK have contributed their expertise and production capabilities behind the national effort.”

What More’s move to change its production output comes just a week after the firm’s Altham neighbour, The Senator Group, announced that it was suspending the manufacturing of core products to supply essential items to the new NHS Nightingale hospitals.

Leader of Hyndburn Council, Cllr Miles Parkinson, said both firms were a credit to the borough.

Cllr Parkinson said: “It is really fantastic news for Hyndburn — following on from Senator providing essential furniture for the Nightingale Hospitals — that we now have What More joining the fight against the coronavirus by producing 60,000 face visor masks, which are urgently required.”