PA Works To Help Manufacturers Producing Medical Supplies

PENNSYLVANIA — The state has launched a new way to bring together manufacturers that have the ability to pivot their production power to the war effort to defeat coronavirus.

The new Pennsylvania Manufacturing Call to Action Portal allows manufacturers who are pivoting to producing supplies to match with distributors in order to fill specific supply chains.

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“As we work to protect public health and safety and create a robust supply chain, we know that there are manufacturers across the commonwealth who are willing and able to help,” Dennis Davin, Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development, said in a statement. “This portal will help facilitate the connections businesses need to get critical COVID-19-related products to market or retrofit their operations to begin production of those products.”

It also provides assistance to manufacturers that have workforce needs or gaps, as shifting to producing medical supplies can require different skills.

Finally, it allows the state to easily organize and communicate with a diversity of businesses who are helping or who are interested in helping, so that they can best organize and marshal all available resources.

Businesses can access the portal here.

Countless companies across Pennsylvania have already pivoted part or all of their manufacturing capabilities to producing supplies that are scarce. Distilleries are producing hand sanitizer on a mass scale, and many local craft breweries are donating needed ingredients. Other factories are working to produce medical masks, gowns, and respirators.

There are 12,980 cases of coronavirus in Pennsylvania as of late Monday, along with 162 deaths.

>>>Full coverage of coronavirus in Pennsylvania here.