Racing businesses and manufacturers have altered production, including making PPEs and medical supply components, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Below are the latest updates on different industry companies’ responses to the pandemic.

3-Dimensional Services Group
Located near Detroit in Rochester Hills, Michigan, Urgent Plastic Services, a branch of 3-Dimensional Services Group, has halted regular production to manufacture protective respirator housings for mobile respirator machines.

The components will be sent to another company to be assembled and issued to urgent care and hospitals around the world. The effort is led by Trans-Am driver and team principal Doug Peterson, the owner of 3-Dimensional Services.

AEM Performance Electronics
AEM is still manufacturing, assembling, and shipping products, with non-essential workers operating remotely. There may be a slight delay in technical support and customer service, which can be reached at [email protected] (for engine management support) and [email protected] (for all other products).

Air Flow Research
After temporarily shutting down, Air Flow Research (AFR) resumed operations on April 6 and is fulfilling orders. All staff members are following guidelines to protect themselves and the community.

Billet Specialties
Billet Specialties is expected to resume operations on May 1, according to a release.

BorgWarner
BorgWarner will suspend manufacturing operations in North America and Europe, citing the reduction in OEM manufacturing, which accounts for 70% of the company’s revenue, according to a release.

Bully Dog Performance
Bully Dog Performance, as well as its parent company, Derive Systems, is implementing remote work and virtual collaboration. The company has canceled all large gatherings and non-essential business travel. The company is also limiting visitors to all office locations, as advance approval is needed for any office visits. Sales and customer service are available and the company is shipping orders as usual.

Champion Brands, LLC
Champion Brands has started preparing to manufacture critically needed alcohol hand sanitizer and isopropyl alcohol disinfectant and will supply local senior homes, hospitals, medical-related businesses, food shelves, and local government agencies.

Additionally, Champion will continue to accept and ship orders as normal. The company has adjusted internally, including social distancing, frequent sanitizing of facilities, transitioning some employees to work from home. On-site visits from non-employees have also been suspended.

Classic Industries
Classic Industries resumed shipping orders on April 6, after making modifications to its fulfillment facilities to follow recommended guidelines. Although customer service personnel are working remotely during regular business hours, longer wait lines may be expected.

Crower Cams & Equipment Co.
Crower continues to ship products and manufacture with a reduced staff. The company has implemented remote work where possible, temporarily suspended visitors to the facility, established social distancing, and have taken additional sanitizing measures. The company continues to manufacture products and is taking new orders, although some materials and products may have increased lead times.

CRP Technology
CRP Technology is manufacturing several functional prototypes of emergency valves for reanimation devices and link-components for emergency respiratory masks for assisted ventilation. The CRP Technology’s Rapid Prototyping Department has used the 3D printing technology called HSS (High Speed Sintering) and the Windform P1 isotropic material to make both types of components.

Cummins
Cummins has reached an agreement with 3M to manufacture high-efficiency particulate filters for use in 3M’s Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs).

PAPRs are an important piece of equipment for front-line healthcare workers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The respirators use a battery-powered blower that sends filtered air into a hood or head top that covers the wearer’s head or face and can provide increased levels of respiratory protection, especially for critical healthcare situations such as aerosol-generating procedures. PAPRs may also be more comfortable to wear for those who need respiratory protection for long periods of time.

The partnership has the potential to more than double the current production of filters for 3M’s PAPRs.

Dart Machinery
Dart Machinery has lowered its pre-paid freight policy to help its customers. The new pre-paid freight will be set at $8,000 on any order of Dart products.

Dayco
Dayco has applied its manufacturing resources to help produce a vital component in the conversion of a readily available snorkeling mask into a ventilator. The mask is already being used in hospitals in northern Italy and by the Italian Red Cross. Dayco has begun production on a key component, the Charlotte Valve, which allows the mask to be converted to a medical respiratory device. The company is utilizing its 3D printers at its San Bernardo d’Ivrea facility in northern Italy.

Daystar
While the company is still distributing products, it has shifted to a three-day-per-week, 12-hour workday production schedule and is encouraging remote work when possible. It has also provided employees with sanitizer and is following CDC guidelines. The company currently expects no disruption of production or distribution.

Engine and Performance Warehouse
Engine and Performance Warehouse sent a letter to customers stating that all EPWI facilities are currently open and the company continues to accept and ship orders as normal. The company has experienced some minimal delays and supply chain disruptions. EPWI also asks that all orders be called in or ordered through the website. The company will not currently be accepting orders at the will-call counter.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA)
FCA is in the process of converting its first plant to produce face masks for donation to first responders and health care workers. The first machinery has been delivered and installed with supply and donation coming on stream in the coming weeks.

In addition, charitable programs have been expanded to help support relief efforts, including food for children.

Fleece Performance
Fleece Performance has redeployed its engineers and a portion of its flexible manufacturing space to develop, test, document, and begin producing a disposable full face shield for medical professionals nationwide. Officials report the ability to produce 500 shields per single shift, with up to 100,000 units made each day.

Fluidampr
Fluidampr continues to operate and ship products, according to the company. However, it has canceled all travel, implemented remote work where possible, temporarily suspended any visitors to its facility, and instituted social distancing and additional sanitizing measures. The company continues to manufacture products and is taking and fulfilling orders.

LIQUI MOLY
LIQUI MOLY is paying a bonus to each employee in response to the pandemic. The company now also has almost its entire administration working from home.

Livernois Motorsports and Engineering
Livernois Motorsports and Engineering has continued to function, but will operate on a limited schedule with limited staff. Staff will also not give walk-throughs to new or existing customers unless it is a pre-approved appointment.

Lubrication Specialties Inc., Hot Shot’s Secret
Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI), the manufacturer of Hot Shot’s Secret, recently introduced a Trucker Appreciation Care Package. Hot Shot’s Secret will distribute up to 500 packages for the truck operators that are helping deliver essential supplies around the nation.

Hot Shot’s Secret Truck Appreciation Care Package includes one 16-ounce bottle of Hot Shot’s Secret Everyday Diesel Treatment, one four-ounce bottle of Hot Shot’s Secret hand sanitizer, company decal, magazine, product guide and a special promotional discount on future orders, a $27.95 value. Sign-up is available at https://www.hotshotsecret.com/extramile; a $5.95 shipping fee is required.

The company also recently announced the company is redeploying a portion of its Mt. Gilead, Ohio manufacturing facility and headquarters to make alcohol-based hand sanitizer. LSI also began offering four-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer to donate to local hospitals, healthcare workers, nursing homes, and truckers transporting essential supplies.

LSI Chemical hand sanitizer is now available for purchase in 16-ounce, 32-ounce, 64-ounce, one-gallon, five-gallon, and bulk sizes including 55-gallon and 330-gallon.

MAHLE Motorsport North America
MAHLE Motorsport North America continues to operate, although many of its employees are working from home or taking the highest precautions to allow parts to be available for its suppliers. Tech support and the sales department are up and running to discuss any needs you may have.

McLeod Racing
McLeod Racing remains fully operational and continues to build and ship products while practicing safe protocols to protect employees. Tech and sales lines continue to operate normally while the staff works remotely.

Melling Engine Parts
Melling Engine Parts announced it will minimize operations but will remain open and shipping products with a reduced staff. Customers may experience a delay in shipments.

ProCharger
ProCharger, along with its parent company Accessible Technologies, is fully operational at all its facilities. Sales and tech support are also still available and 80% of all supercharger orders are currently ready to ship within two business days.

Roush Yates
Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions, a division of Roush Yates Engines, is working in collaboration with BioMedInnovations LLC and their partners Equilibar on the development and production of specialized ventilators to help address the mounting need for life-saving health care equipment.

Summit Racing Equipment
As an essential business, Summit Racing Equipment is open and providing its customers with parts, tools, and accessories for their project vehicles and daily drivers.

The company is taking measures to keep its employees, customers, and community safe. The majority of its workforce is working from home or with flexible schedules to reduce the number of people in its facilities. Anyone who enters its facility is also screened for health and must wear a mask at all times. Work stations are appropriately distanced, with cleaning and sanitizing efforts appropriately increased.

Tenneco
Many of Tenneco’s facilities on the motorparts side of the business remain open. Transportation-related businesses, including auto-manufacturing and assembly, auto-supply, auto-repair, and other related facilities, have been classified as essential businesses in many states, and they continue to operate and support customers that remain operational. Staff members are following proper guidelines, and global team members are working from home.

Turn 14 Distribution
According to Turn 14 Distribution, its distribution centers in Pennsylvania, Nevada and Texas remain fully operational, while sales, accounting, and support staff work remotely. Employees on the job at the distribution centers are now working on separated shifts, the company said, and professional cleaners have been hired to clean high-traffic and high-contact areas of its facilities between shifts. Will Call service at all three distribution centers has been suspended until further notice.

VP Racing Fuels
VP Racing Fuels, Inc. announced the launch of VP hand sanitizer to support the needs of commercial businesses, retailers, and race tracks.

VP hand sanitizer is available in a variety of container sizes, including 32-ounce, one-gallon, and five-gallon packaging, as well as 54-gallon drums and 325-gallon totes.

VP Racing Fuels Inc. also continues to supply race fuels, coolants, and lubricants to race series and teams.

Information in this article was compiled by SEMA.