We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • CSCMP EDGE 2023
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • CSCMP EDGE 2023
    • Upload Your Video
Home » Private sector launches medical manufacturing in Covid-19 fight

Private sector launches medical manufacturing in Covid-19 fight

FiatChrysler, Canada Goose, Bauer, KOVAL convert retail assembly lines to make masks and gowns for medical professionals battling coronavirus.

koval sanitizer
March 26, 2020
Ben Ames
No Comments

Retailers and manufacturers in several industries are adapting their production lines to make desperately needed medical equipment, as heathcare professionals across the U.S. report shortages of the coronavirus test kits and protective equipment needed to fuel large-scale efforts to test and treat Covid-19 patients.

Political leaders in the U.S. have been slow to launch widespread testing efforts to measure and slow the spread of the deadly virus, with some state governors declining to apply business shutdown or stay-at-home orders. Likewise, the Trump Administration is hesitating to apply the Defense Production Act, which would allow the federal government to compel private-sector companies to begin mass production of rare items such as ventilators, respirators, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for doctors and nurses on the front lines of the fight.

Now a number of domestic companies have taken the matter into their own hands, launching production of masks, gowns, and hand sanitizer for medical professionals, using production lines that are usually reserved for building Fiat and Chrysler automobiles, Canada Goose winter parkas, Bauer ice hockey equipment, and KOVAL-brand whiskey and gin.

It is not yet clear whether those companies can match red-hot demand for the gear, but their efforts are being complemented by a trickle of imported supplies that have begun to flow in through maritime ports and airports, although still in limited volumes.

In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) said Monday it will soon start manufacturing and donating more than 1 million protective face masks per month. Production capacity is being installed this week and the company will start manufacturing face masks in the coming weeks with initial distribution across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The face masks are to be donated by FCA to police, EMTs, and firefighters, as well as to workers in hospitals and health care clinics.

"Protecting our first responders and health care workers has never been more important. In addition to the support we are giving to increase the production of ventilators, we canvassed our contacts across the healthcare industry and it was very clear that there is an urgent and critical need for face masks,” FCA CEO Mike Manley said in a release. “We've marshalled the resources of the FCA Group to focus immediately on installing production capacity for making masks and supporting those most in need on the front line of this pandemic."

Just north of the border, trendy winter parka retailer Canada Goose said Wednesday that the company will leverage its manufacturing facilities to begin production of necessary medical gear for healthcare workers and patients across Canada in the fight against Covid-19. The company will begin making scrubs and patient gowns, which are in short supply across the country, and will begin distributing them to hospitals next week.

Canada Goose has committed to producing medical gear at two of its manufacturing facilities—starting in Toronto and Winnipeg—with the opportunity to extend production across additional facilities as needed. With production set to begin early next week, approximately 50 employees per facility will work to manufacture the gear and have an initial goal of producing 10,000 units.

Also on Wednesday, the Chicago-based craft spirits producer KOVAL Distillery said it has partnered with healthcare logistics provider MedSpeed to produce and distribute hand sanitizer. By converting its whiskey and gin stills to medical use, KOVAL said it brewed up 150 gallons of hand sanitizer on March 23, and expects to produce hundreds, or even thousands, of gallons over the next few weeks for donation to a designated list of healthcare facilities.

And in Exeter, New Hampshire, the iconic ice hockey equipment maker Bauer said is has started making medical face shields with the same materials it usually reserves for hockey pads and helmets. Production started today in Bauer facilities in Blainville, Quebec, and in Liverpool, New York, the company said in published reports. On its website, the company said: “Bauer is committed to protecting health care facilities, first responders and government agencies from Covid-19. By repurposing our facilities and supply-chain resources, we have shifted production to make single-use face shields.”

To see all our coverage of the coronavirus crisis and how it's affecting logistics issues, check DC Velocity’s dedicated landing page for the latest journalism by our team of editors.

We're indebted to all medical personnel and first responders who are risking their own safety to keep the rest of us safe. https://t.co/Eys0ml0Cts

— BAUER Hockey (@BauerHockey) March 25, 2020
Coronavirus Coverage
    • Related Articles

      FMCSA relaxes Hours of Services caps for truck drivers resupplying critical goods in Covid-19 fight

      Robot manufacturers join Covid-19 fight with disinfectant-bots

      Covid-19 fight rocks business world as White House freezes passenger traffic between U.S. and Europe

    Benames
    Ben Ames has spent 20 years as a journalist since starting out as a daily newspaper reporter in Pennsylvania in 1995. From 1999 forward, he has focused on business and technology reporting for a number of trade journals, beginning when he joined Design News and Modern Materials Handling magazines. Ames is author of the trail guide "Hiking Massachusetts" and is a graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism.

    Recent Articles by Ben Ames

    Biden Administration unwraps package of supply chain support policies

    Bipartisan bill would grant overtime pay to truckers

    IDC: businesses achieve faster “decision velocity” through AI

    You must login or register in order to post a comment.

    Report Abusive Comment

    Most Popular Articles

    • Warehouse renters could see “significant” rate increases in 2024, Prologis says

    • MercuryGate acquires cross-border customs clearance specialist ITS

    • Beset by loose capacity and weak demand, where do parcel express carriers go from here?

    • DHL Supply Chain to add five more AS/RS installations from AutoStore

    • Yes, your SMB can afford AMRs

    Now Playing on DCV-TV

    86b12a2a 86fa 4a93 85e6 c5470638a478

    Want to Increase Your Profitability by 1%? Then Ask: Is Your Company’s Supply Chain an Asset or an Anchor?

    DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    When supply chains are viewed as an asset instead of an anchor, companies are more likely to invest in optimizing them because of how it can impact their financial results. There are numerous articles talking about how companies have invested in their supply chains and it yielded substantial savings – savings in...

    FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

    • Exploring Forklift Energy Solutions for Maximum ROI

    • Identifying How Sortation Automation Can Address Challenges for Parcel Processors

    • Quarterly Freight Data Report: Q3 2023

    • Achieve Higher Performance with a Voice Directed Automated Warehouse

    View More

    Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

    GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • ADVERTISING
    • CUSTOMER CARE
    • CONTACT
    • ABOUT
    • STAFF
    • PRIVACY POLICY

    Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing