Dovetailors lends its facilities to the government for critical manufacturing

Furniture and component manufacturer Dovetailors has made its manufacturing facilities and equipment available through the Crown Commercial Service to help maintain vital public services during the Covid-19 crisis.

The service is part of the government’s emergency coronavirus response and ensures urgent commercial support is available to those parts of the public sector that are providing critical equipment and services.

Dovetailors offered its manufacturing workshop in Leeds and use of its equipment, including two CNC machines, and has since been assessed and registered as part of the scheme. It is now listed on the Crown Commercial Service website as an approved supplier.

The workshop manages small batch and large-scale production as well as prototyping and testing. Dovetailors is a specialist in complex wooden component design and manufacture but its equipment can be converted for plastic if required during the crisis.

Creative director David Wilson said he hoped the move would provide vital extra capacity for priority manufacturing, production and prototyping as the country responds to the impact of the virus.

“With our usual manufacturing activity halted due to the lockdown restrictions, we were keen to see our machinery and equipment put to good use to help the country at a time of crisis,” said David.

“Instead of standing idle, our workshop will be able to provide valuable extra capacity for essential public sector production and we are delighted our offer of help has been accepted by the Crown Commercial Service.

“We are accustomed to offering our facilities to small businesses and designers for prototyping and small batch production and this is simply another way of collaborating, this time for the good of the whole country.”

Dovetailors is based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, but works with businesses nationwide. It is offering its facilities to public sector organisations throughout the UK.