Gwynedd businessman whose firm was forced to shutdown turns focus to making protective equipment for health workers

A man whose business was forced to shutdown just nine days after opening has turned his  creative energies to help in the fight against Covid-19 .

Reen Owen’s Bangor-based business 2020 CNC, uses 3D printers and computer controlled routers to make signage, carved wooden products and prototypes.

He said he had become aware there might be problems with the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) when his business was shut down, as he’d been in touch with other members of the 3D printing community in Spain.

So he took his 3D printers home, sought out some designs and got to work, initially out of his own pocket.

A  Facebook group, Direct Action – Support Our SuperheroesThe NHS and Care Workers, crowdfunded and supplied Mr Owen and with the plastic filament needed to make the masks.

The group has been sourcing fabric face masks, bottled water and collecting face screens and distributing them to those who need them.

He said: “I thought the least I can do is bring my printer home. The 3D community saw the shortage coming because of people in Spain saying there were problems getting PPE.

“We got the designs and people started asking us for masks. When everyone realised what we were doing we were having orders from everywhere and we asked what we could do for the hospital.”

Mr Owen, from Bethesda, is part of the North Wales Technology Group which sent protective mask designs for approval by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, so they could supply frontline health workers fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

He has been supplying pharmacies, nurses and health care workers and, as he spoke, a delivery of 25 masks was being dispatched to a local social care provider.

The larger masks take two hours to produce but five-per-hour can be made from a smaller design he said.

Mr Owen, who has been working constantly to fulfil orders from grateful frontline staff, added: “We are all working together to get them done. Up to now I have made more than 130.”

Better known to many as lead singer and guitarist with local band The Chillingtons, he said the one benefit of lockdown is he gets to see more of his daughter Athena, 6, and partner Katie.

“Athena thinks lock down is great,” he said. “She gets mum and dad all to herself.”

By Jez Hemming – Local Democracy Reporter