Precision engineering firm JJ Churchill reduced the traditional response time by two thirds for parts required by Surface Technology International (STI) for asymptomatic Covid-19 testing equipment.

Progressing from the first telephone enquiry to the manufacture of production parts took a matter of weeks, with prototype parts machined in a matter of days. A prototype for a large-volume production process would normally take more than 16 weeks.

JJ Churchill deployed its rapid prototyping capabilities and produced the first development part within hours of receiving the drawings from STI.

This specialist contract electronics manufacturer was subsequently able pass its testing machines to medics around the country in the shortest time possible (the machined components are an integral part of the operation of the testing units).

Mark Cooper, JJ Churchill’s managing director, said: “Last year we played a small part in the Government’s ventilator challenge. Now we are pushing to achieve greater levels of speed, culminating in handing over a development part to our colleagues at STI within hours of receiving drawings.

“Importantly, we were able to match quality and delivery with value for cost, which enabled STI to secure a cost-competitive supply chain in the UK.”

Simon Best, STI’s chairman at added: “Working with JJ Churchill has enabled us to produce asymptomatic test equipment at speed and consistently, while achieving high levels of reliability.

“This is a great demonstration of British engineering working in partnership to produce exactly what the country needs in a time of crisis.”