Three Manufacturers Provide Help With COVID-19

Novagard Solutions Inc., Cleveland, a U.S. manufacturer of silicones, hybrids and foams for the electronics, transportation/automotive, EV, industrial, construction, and military markets, has has received multiple urgent requests to provide foam used in the construction of medical face shields.

Following a full deep clean and sterilization of the foam line, the company said it brought the crew back in to fill the request.

Novagard said it implemented safety guidelines in its manufacturing facility, including social distancing, hand washing/sanitizers, gloves, and temperature checks.

Grand River Rubber and Plastics, a 100 percent employee-owned lathe-cut gasket and vacuum cleaner flat belt manufacturer in Ashtabula, Ohio, said it continues to manufacture necessary products.

The company is making gaskets for the medical industry that are being utilized in electrical components of various medical equipment and devices, oxygen concentrators and oxygen sensors. Grand River also manufactures sealing gaskets food and chemical packaging lids and closures.

The company listed steps it is taking to ensure its manufacturing operations remain safe amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

• Grand River has “educated our workforce on COVID-19 and have asked them to follow” Centers for Disease Control recommendations.
• It has increased its cleaning/disinfecting schedule for all bathrooms and employee common areas.
• Cleaning occurs at the end of each shift for items handled in the manufacturing process such as air guns and hand tools.
• Hand sanitizer has been placed throughout its facility. Flyers promoting handwashing and other healthy lifestyle practices to stem the spread of germs have been posted
• Shifts have been staggered our shifts to reduce the number of people in the facility and help minimize contact between employees.

SendCutSend, Reno, Nev., a contract laser cutting company, said it has stepped up product of parts being made in response to COVID-19.

Among them:

• Parts for ventilator battery-backup systems.
• Respiratory protection parts for 911 dispatch centers.
• Portable I-V stands that support ventilators and supplemental oxygen.
• "COVID Keys" - antibacterial door openers and button-pushers.

The company said all parts that are going to be used to help battle COVID-19 are getting "first in line" production priority at its facilities.

When a COVID-19-related order comes in, the company shuts down current production to quickly to start making the new parts.

SendCutSend said turnaround for some parts has been less than one hour from the time of order to the time parts were shipped. The company said it’s offering discounts “equivalent to our cost (or less)’ and free overnight shipping via FedEx.