“As international supply chains have stalled and the COVID-19 crisis escalated, we’ve seen a critical shortage in medical protective equipment in the U.S.,” said Phil Rozenski, Novolex’s Vice President of Public Affairs. “When we found out about this need, it was a no brainer. Our facilities are already uniquely equipped to produce food-grade products, so we are thrilled to be able to jump in and use our know-how and engineering expertise to make protective equipment that can really help those on the front lines.”
As a plastic packaging producer, Novolex is uniquely situated to produce such secondary personal protective equipment (PPE). The company is adopting creative solutions to adapt its facilities which can produce transparent PET sheet and fit-for-purpose injected molded plastic fittings to make components for face shields.
“We’ve leveraged all of the company’s manufacturing ingenuity to pivot from manufacturing to-go containers to producing medical supplies,” said Galen Killam, a Wisconsin-based engineering manager for Novolex. “We’re using facilities originally designed to produce food packaging such as tortilla bags to make protective gowns, and we’re adapting muffin containers, reusable cutlery, and plates to create face shields.”
By adapting its sophisticated manufacturing infrastructure, Novolex facilities across North America are pushing out protective equipment at an unprecedented scale. Moreover, Novolex has assembled a national transportation and supply chain system that will allow it to continue this level of production for as long as the medical community needs it.
“We’re enormously proud to have the backs of the healthcare professionals and first responders who have protected us and our loved ones through this entire crisis,” said Rozenski. “The 10,000 employees of Novolex will continue to stand in solidarity with them until and after the virus has been defeated.”
