Taylor Wimpey boss builds PPE on 3D printers

Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey’s chief executive Pete Redfern on Monday said he has used his 3D printing hobby to create face shields for GP surgeries and care homes to use in the virus crisis.

Redfern had about 10 printers at home and bought more to print the visors. He made 170 at the weekend, making 360 in total so far.

Reels of plastic filaments are inserted into printers, melted and made into the shields. The first batches have already gone to sites, including in Islington and Harrow.

He said: “I am mildly obsessive.” He previously started 3D printing at home for fun, and recently asked some of his firm’s research team to come up with ways the printers could help with the Covid-19 crisis.

As well as the company assisting in the project, Redfern added that Taylor Wimpey will acquire surgical masks, disposable aprons and gloves to give out.

Different teams at Taylor Wimpey will each nominate two care homes where the PPE items will be given.