Updated questions from Colin9 Feb 2021 08:18
Please can you find out from Colin the following for me:
What are the main constraints for hitting 2M per week? Completing the facility upgrade and delivery of equipment -both are progressing to plan to date.
Are these volumes based upon 1,2,3 shifts per day – 2 shifts
Is the new capital investment capably of higher production rates – this depends on the design of the test – so possibly
Can the production change easily from Antibody/Antigen/Intolerance LFT’s – we can alternate between antibody, antigen and CD4 with the equipment we have purchased. Food intolerance isnt lateral flow and is produced at our facility in Ely.
Is the supply chain robust enough for higher capacities – We believe from the feedback we have received that the supply chain is robust and steps have been taken to secure critical supplies
Is the supply Chain local to the UK – wherever possible supply is within the UK but not all critical components can be sourced from within the UK
Will you have the trained manpower for higher volumes – a key part to the scale up is recruitment and upskilling staff, this is an area where we have spent a lot of time planning and are again happy with the progress we are making, whilst ensuring the site remains as COVID secure
Do you expect the demand to remain at the 2M P/W or greater for 1,2, or more years – This will very much depend on how the virus develops and something that is very difficult to predict
My question is around 25% of 14m tests a week = 3 5m tests per week. Does Colin think he can increase capacity further to say 3.5m? Is there space and or planning permissions available to achieve this at Alva? Going to those levels would be a challenge within the current facility and do anything further with the current site the timing would not work as this would involve significant building works
Does he think that is a sensible target to increase capacity to in the medium term? Increasing above 2m is something as a board we have to considering and discuss with key stakeholders
I wonder if you could ask Colin if there have been any invitations issued to any dignitaries or further TV teams for the period after lockdown is expected to end, perhaps April. With the forthcoming Scottish elections I'm sure the prospect of a photo opportunity at a Scottish manufacturer of LFTs would appeal to a wide number of Scottish MPs, Local Councillors and MSPs of all parties. We are always open to visits and if the opportunities arise then we would certainly welcome visitors to the site.
Can additional machines be purchased from Finland: The lead time from Finland isnt great but we have identified alternative U.K. manufacturer that will be supporting the uplift to 2m
Re institutional investors this is an ongoing action - clearly the challenge here is the number held by retail investors would require a major investment from a number of institutions to make a dent in this therefore will be a very slow process I suspect
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