Scania‘s global headquarters in Sweden is committing key employees and equipment to fight the spread of Covid-19.
Experts from Scania‘s purchasing and logistics division have joined forces with Stockholm‘s Karolinska University Hospital to create a command centre tasked with sourcing protective equipment from around the world for Sweden‘s healthcare workers. Scania truck-trailer units are also being converted into mobile testing stations.
It‘s a case of bringing world-leading transport, logistics and purchasing skillsets alongside world-leading healthcare skillsets to coordinate and manage the difficult situation Stockholm is facing.
Sixty Scania staff plus vehicles from Scania‘s Transport Lab are involved in acquiring everything from masks, visors, protective clothing and hand spray, to surface disinfectant and aprons from all over the world.
The command centre, in conjunction with Region Stockholm, has in a short time set up efficient working methods with fast decision paths. One of the groups is constantly receiving tips on where to find face masks, visors, hand sanitiser and other necessary equipment. The tips they receive are forwarded to different ‘purchasing cells‘ that decide whether to take action.
Another group arranges the transport and retrieves the material, regardless of whether it is in Sweden, continental Europe or China.
Scania‘s Head of Supply Chain Networks, Tobias Rydin, is one of the Scania experts leading the command centre.
“Two things stand out in this unique collaboration, I think. It‘s interesting to see that the working methods and processes that we have at Scania are fully applicable in this type of environment.
“But the most amazing thing, which I as a Scania employee feel immense pride in, is the total commitment and support in our organisation. There are so many who want to help. It really warms my Scania heart,” says Rydin.
Karolinska University Hospital‘s director of operations, Sara Lindholm, says this couldn‘t be done without the help of Scania’s fantastic global logistics and purchasing organisation and all its expertise.
“Overall, we have created a lot in just a few days. And we have only just begun,” says Lindholm.
Scania is also supporting the extremely strained healthcare system in Stockholm by lending truck trailers. One area of use is as mobile sampling stations for patients who may need hospital care. Sampling outside hospitals reduces the risk of spread to other patients and healthcare professionals.
