Things are constantly changing in all industries during the COVID-19 pandemic. That is especially true for the automotive industry. The Reed Factor will continue to share the latest auto news to help keep you in the know.
For many automakers, they are shifting their manufacturing attention away from cars and to helping those who are fighting on the frontlines against the Coronavirus. Volkswagen of America and Faurecia recently announces a collaborative effort to manufacture Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) items needed on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis response. Strategic planning with Volkswagen has allowed Faurecia – a fabrics and materials supplier for the brand – to begin production of facemasks and gowns to be used by medical professionals battling the global pandemic.
This shift in supply chain utilization came about from an internal Volkswagen task force, created to identify ways of meaningfully impacting the fight against COVID-19. After initial outreach to suppliers and production partners, an opportunity was identified when Faurecia communicated the ability – and desire – to modify the company’s production lines. Through rapid-fire operational discussions with Volkswagen, plus an initial order of 70,000 masks and 5,000 gowns, Faurecia was able to pivot its processes and begin production at one of its facilities in Mexico. The company has since been able to significantly ramp up production capacities and is now able to make an estimated 250K masks and 50K gowns per week.
“Volkswagen is proud to have partners like Faurecia willing to step outside their usual scope and drive something bigger,” said Scott Keogh, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “This joint effort is putting the ingenuity of VW and our supplier network on full display, and we don’t plan on stopping our response to this crisis here.”
Volkswagen has donated the first run of Faurecia-produced masks and gowns to New York State’s COVID-19 response efforts. The shipment of 75,000 units is scheduled to arrive this week and be distributed at area hospitals including New York City’s Javits Center, recently transformed by the US Army Corps of Engineers into a temporary hospital staffed by FEMA and Army medical personnel.
The work with Faurecia is the first of numerous initiatives currently under development between Volkswagen of America and its network of suppliers to enter the operational phase. Please stay tuned to @TheReedFactor, @VW and @VWNews for more developments and news.
