OEMs Partner with Healthcare Industry to Manufacture Medical Supplies to Fight Coronavirus - Engine Builder Magazine

OEMs Partner with Healthcare Industry to Manufacture Medical Supplies to Fight Coronavirus

Fiat Chrysler, Ford and GM are partnering with healthcare suppliers to ramp up production of critically needed face masks, respirators, ventilators and face shields for healthcare workers and coronavirus patients.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is stepping in to help those at the front line of the coronavirus pandemic by 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 United States, 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. This action is the first of a multifaceted global program being developed by the company through applying manufacturing, supply-chain and engineering expertise to support the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Commenting on this initiative, FCA CEO Mike Manley said: “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. 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.”  

FCA will work through national, regional and city authorities to ensure that the donated face masks are being directed to the people and facilities in the most immediate need.

Ford

Ford Motor Co., joining forces with firms including 3M and GE Healthcare, is lending its manufacturing and engineering expertise to quickly expand production of urgently needed medical equipment and supplies for healthcare workers, first responders and patients fighting coronavirus. In addition, Ford plans to assemble more than 100,000 face shields per week and leverage its in-house 3D printing capability to produce components for use in personal protective equipment.

“This is such a critical time for America and the world. It is a time for action and cooperation. By coming together across multiple industries, we can make a real difference for people in need and for those on the front lines of this crisis,” said Bill Ford, Ford’s executive chairman.

Powered Air-Purifying Respirators: Ford team members are working with 3M to increase the manufacturing capacity of their powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) designs and working jointly to develop a new design leveraging parts from both companies to meet the surge demand for first responders and health care workers. This new respirator could be produced in a Ford facility by UAW workers. To go as fast as possible, the Ford and 3M teams have been locating off-the-shelf parts, including fans from the Ford F-150’s cooled seats for airflow, 3M HEPA air filters to filter airborne contaminants such as droplets that carry virus particles and portable tool battery packs to power these respirators for up to eight hours. Ford is looking at how it might produce these new-generation PAPRs in one of its Michigan manufacturing facilities, helping 3M boost production potentially tenfold.

Ventilators: In addition, Ford and GE Healthcare are working together to expand production of a simplified version of GE Healthcare’s existing ventilator design to support patients with respiratory failure or difficulty breathing caused by COVID-19. These ventilators could be produced at a Ford manufacturing site in addition to a GE location.  

Respirators and Face Shields: Meanwhile, Ford’s U.S. design team also is quickly creating and starting to test transparent full-face shields for medical workers and first responders. The face shields fully block the face and eyes from accidental contact with liquids and when paired with N95 respirators can be a more effective way to limit potential exposure to coronavirus than N95 respirators alone. The first 1,000 face shields will be tested this week at Detroit Mercy, Henry Ford Health Systems and Detroit Medical Center Sinai-Grace Hospitals. Roughly 75,000 of these shields are expected to be finished this week and more than 100,000 face shields per week will be produced at Ford subsidiary Troy Design and Manufacturing’s facilities in Plymouth, Michigan.

GM

GM and Ventec Life Systems, in cooperation with StopTheSpread.org—the nation’s coordinated private sector response to COVID-19—are collaborating to enable Ventec to increase production of its respiratory care products to support the growing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Ventec will leverage GM’s logistics, purchasing and manufacturing expertise to build more ventilators. To support these efforts, StopTheSpread.org will continue to unite business leaders across the country to collect resources to complement and support government efforts.

“With GM’s help, Ventec will increase ventilator production,” said Chris Kiple, Ventec Life Systems CEO. “By tapping their expertise, GM is enabling us to get more ventilators to more hospitals much faster. This partnership will help save lives.”

“We are working closely with Ventec to rapidly scale up production of their critically important respiratory products to support our country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mary Barra, GM chair and CEO. “We will continue to explore ways to help in this time of crisis.”

You May Also Like

Thousands Oppose California’s Mandate Banning New Gas-Powered Vehicle Sales

SEMA members and industry consumers send EPA over 5,000 letters in opposition to ACC II Waiver

SEMA member companies and automotive enthusiasts have come out in strong opposition to the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) "Advanced Clean Cars II" (ACC II) regulation that would ban the sale of new internal combustion engine motor vehicles by 2035. Specialty aftermarket businesses and industry supporters sent over 5,000 letters to the U.S. EPA expressing opposition to the agency providing California a Clean Air Act waiver, which is required in order for ACC II to take effect. Industry and enthusiasts alike have united in opposition to California’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate that would adversely impact automotive businesses, their employees, and millions of automotive enthusiasts. 

Howell EFI Launches New Website and Promotions

Howell EFI, a leading manufacturer of electronic fuel injection for older pre-computer vehicles of all types, has newly launched a user-friendly website, as well as introduced free ground shipping on orders over $500 to the lower 48 states, and a March Madness sale of 10% off any order. Related Articles – Dayco Begins Full-Scale Belt

Dayco Begins Full-Scale Belt Production in Mexico

At the end of 2022, Dayco, a leading engine product and drive systems manufacturer for the automotive, industrial and aftermarket industries, announced it was investing in a new manufacturing facility in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, to produce its globally recognized OE-quality drive belts. Related Articles – VP Racing Partners with Ida Zetterstrom for 2024 NHRA

Cummins Announces Next Gen X15 Diesel Engine

Cummins Inc. has announced it will launch its most efficient heavy-duty diesel engine ever. As the next product in the Cummins HELM 15-liter fuel agnostic platform, the diesel X15 will be compliant with U.S. EPA and CARB 2027 aligned regulations at launch. The next generation X15 diesel engine in North America will serve the heavy-duty

Hendrick Motorsports Partners with GROB Systems

Hendrick Motorsports and GROB Systems Inc. have teamed up for a synergistic partnership to bring precision 5-Axis GROB machines to the Concord, NC campus of the 14-time NASCAR Cup Series champions.  Related Articles – Sick Week 2024 Results – Isky Racing Cams’ Ron Iskenderian Has Passed Away at 75 – MPMC Media Trade Conference to Relocate in 2025

Other Posts

Mobil 1 Celebrates 50th Anniversary

In 2024, ExxonMobil will commemorate its 50-year history of the Mobil 1 brand with a series of initiatives across partnerships, motorsports, and virtual reality, each of which will highlight the brand’s legacy and what’s to come. Related Articles – Lewis Hamilton to Leave Mercedes for Ferrari in F1 2025 Season – Formula 1 Rejects Andretti

Lewis Hamilton to Leave Mercedes for Ferrari in F1 2025 Season

Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari next year and replace Carlos Sainz.

Formula 1 Rejects Andretti and Cadillac

Formula 1 earlier this week rejected Andretti Global’s long-held bid to join the series in the 2025 or 2026 season, also denying the team’s corporate partner General Motors. Related Articles – Competitors Revealed for ’24 Pikes Peak Hill Climb – Hot Rod Drag Week 2024 to Celebrate 20th Anniversary – Engine Builder Hall of Fame

Nasr Victorious at Rolex 24 for Penske, Porsche

Felipe Nasr delivered the first Rolex 24 At Daytona overall win for team owner Roger Penske in 55 years, and the first for Porsche in 14 years, in an exciting conclusion Sunday to the iconic endurance sports car race. Related Articles – 3 Engines for Sale – LS3 and Two Small Block Chevys – Holley