General Motors really took audiences by surprise when they learned GM isn’t only great at creating vehicles, but face masks, too!
The corporation recognized the shortage of face masks nationwide and decided to take a stab at trying to help. Trying to help, and succeed that is.
GM and United Auto Workers called in over two dozen workers to make millions of face masks at their once closed Warren Transmission plan in Michigan.
They planned to have their first 20,000 face masks ready to distribute by April 8th. GM had a quick turnaround time in manufacturing the masks by working swiftly and diligently. They planned, acted, and executed within a matter of a week. To give some perspective, as stated by USA Today, “It was amazing to see how fast the team pulled it off, noting it would typically take about two months to retool a plant to build a new product and GM did the process in seven days.”
As of right now, in order to act fast, the masks being made are Level 1. This means that they are enough for delivery workers, and those who keep the hospital and community going – however, they are not meant to be worn in surgery. GM does in fact plan to make surgical masks; they are currently learning how to produce N95 masks.
Once GM fully establishes production and protocol on how to make N95 masks, they plan to make 50,000 masks a day and up to 1.5 million a month.
GM had a team of more than 30 engineers, designers, buyers, and members of their manufacturing team as part of the process to develop the face masks. That included finding machinery, and materials, as well as creating a plan for the production process.
Aside from this, they are also working with medical device maker Ventec Life Systems to make ventilators at GM’s plant located in Kokomo, Indiana.
WOW – so many great things happening all thanks to you, heroes! During this time, it’s relieving to know that corporations are coming together to help in ways that the world never thought would be possible.
For that, we thank and admire you, heroes!
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