Suffolk businesses gain ‘UK Business Hero’ status

14 members of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce have received recognition for the extraordinary work they did, contributing to the fight against COVID19. They are continuing to do so nine months on.

The UK Business Heroes scheme has been launched by the British Chambers of Commerce, the national body to which Suffolk Chamber is affiliated.

The scheme seeks to recognise the incredible work that UK businesses have done and are doing in the most challenging of years. The Suffolk organisations that have gained this status are from a wide variety of sectors and sizes. All went above and beyond what could reasonably be expected of them through their increasing production of protective and life-saving equipment to concerted practical help for local communities.

The Suffolk companies are Access Community Trust, Adnams, BT Adastral Park, Cogent Technology, Disposable Medical Instruments, DXB Pump & Power, Hudson Group, Inspire Suffolk, Ipswich Trade Centre, Keejays, Pitkin & Ruddock, Strada Innovation, The Jockey Club and Unisurge.

The example of Felixstowe-based Cogent Technology illustrates the speed and depth of all these companies’ responses to the cOVID19 challenge.

On 14th March, with the UK about to be placed in lockdown, Cogent Technology was approached by UK Government, as an ISO13485 Medical Device manufacturer, to support the UK Ventilator Challenge.

With a prediction of 30,000 ventilators required, Cogent Technology was contracted to rapidly manufacture over 13,500 units within a 12 week window.

Working with supply chain and other partners, The Eva Ventilator was designed and developed within the incredibly tight timescale of 12 weeks.

John Dugmore, chief executive: “Cogent Technology’s response to the ventilator challenge reflects its core values of innovation, agility and determination. Theirs is an inspiring story and they deserve this recognition. We are very proud of them and indeed of all the Suffolk winners of this award.”

For more information visit the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce website 

Photo credit Cogent Technology