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How Manufacturers Are Responding to COVID-19

Posted 21 Apr 2020 by Kimberlee Sinclair, Director, Global Communications

Traditional surgical masks, gowns, ventilators, and even hand sanitizer are needed now more than ever to prevent further spread of COVID-19. And, large manufacturers are there to answer the call.

With an “all hands on deck” frame of mind, the brands that you know and trust are transitioning their operations to produce local, regional, and even global medical supplies. Let’s take a look at a few of the organizations that are taking up arms against the current pandemic.

General Motors

General Motors had a quick turnaround, using its manufacturing capabilities to produce its first face mask within 7 days, and plans on being able to produce 50,000 masks daily going forward. The masks are important pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) used by healthcare workers to protect themselves against the virus.

Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company has partnered with GE Healthcare to produce third-party, FDA-cleared ventilators in Michigan. The goal is to produce 50,000 units within 100 days and up to 30,000 a month thereafter, as needed. These ventilators are strong enough to aid most COVID-19 victims, while operating on air pressure alone ― a convenient solution that saves electricity.

Woodard

Woodard, the classic 154-year-old outdoor furniture maker, announced that its production facility in Owosso, Michigan, has converted to manufacture N95 masks for medical professionals, first responders, and patients by using donated fabrics and elastics from textile companies, such as Schumacher and Kravet. Woodard plans to produce 1,000 masks a day. And, other Michigan-based furniture companies are following suit and starting to manufacture masks as well.

L’Oréal

L'Oréal is the world’s largest beauty supplies manufacturer, and they are supporting European health authorities by focusing manufacturing facilities toward producing hand sanitizer. They will be providing the alcohol-based gels to hospitals, nursing homes, and partnering pharmacies, and donating one million euros to help disadvantaged workers and businesses.

Prada 

Prada recently redirected its attention away from luxury clothing items and instead is using its access to proper materials and machinery to quickly produce fabric masks. Prada announced that they plan on being able to quickly produce over one hundred thousand masks. And, brands like Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Zara, and LVMH are starting to manufacture masks, too.

Pernod Ricard

French spirits maker Pernod Ricard is working to ease hand sanitizer shortages. They own facilities across Europe and the United States, which have quickly transitioned to making hand sanitizer (the Arkansas, Kentucky, Texas, and West Virginia facilities alone repurposed their alcohol production capabilities into manufacturing close to 6,000 gallons by the end of March). They also are donating 70,000 liters of pure alcohol from global subsidiaries to laboratories in Europe to manufacture sanitizers.

Fiat Chrysler 

Fiat Chrysler has confirmed that they will be using their facilities in the United States to produce one million face masks in a month. They will distribute them to emergency services across North America to help keep essential personnel safe, including police, EMTs, firefighters, and medical professionals.

H.B. Fuller

H.B. Fuller is producing fast-setting adhesives to support companies constructing face shields. These adhesives are the backbone to an effective product, providing a flexible solution that will hold up to long and rigorous use. And, a faster setting adhesive makes it possible for these large manufacturers to produce quicker and better performing products ― maximizing production capabilities of businesses that are directing their focus towards producing bulk PPE and medical supplies.

Contact us to learn how we’re connecting with customers from all industries with solutions that allow them to adjust, reconfigure, or add operational pieces so they can produce medical supplies quickly.

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