COVID-19: Cannock coronavirus test site at Finning

Caterpillar dealer headquarters helping to support national effort against coronavirus pandemic

TO support the national effort against COVID-19, Finning UK & Ireland have worked with the Department of Health and Social Care to establish a mobile testing unit at their Cannock headquarters on the A5.

The site is being operated by military personnel with testing taking place in a controlled area of the company’s car park. The mobile testing units began operating at the site on Tuesday 9 June and will be running until at least Thursday 18 June.

‘The effort that everyone in the country has made to tackle the coronavirus has been amazing,’ said Keith Oakes, head of safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) at Finning. ‘Providing use of our car park so that people across the West Midlands can get tested is a small contribution but the company was keen to play its part.

‘During testing, a one-way system will be set up in the staff car park, which is not currently in use,’ added Mr Oakes. ‘There will be no queuing on the A5, and it will be kept completely separate from any on-site operations, to guarantee our employee’s health, safety and well-being.’

The opportunity to become a testing site arose out of Finning’s relationship with the military. The company is part of the Armed Forces Covenant and has several members of staff who previously served in the army. 

Finning have made other contribution to their local communities during the pandemic, including the use of company vans to deliver food parcels in Ireland, and by contributing safety glasses to local hospitals.