Manufacturing and Supply Chain Report for April 8, 2020

BMW extends shutdown, considers new avenues to help

As BMW Manufacturing halts its production for another three weeks, the global auto manufacturer considers new routes for meeting COVID-19 shortages around the world. Globally, BMW has donated critical needs goods like disinfectants and masks and offered vehicles to medical providers while forming plans for potential mask production as auto lines lie idle. (GSA Business Report)

Johnson & Johnson subsidiary to make Prisma ventilator splitter

Prisma Health will team up with Ethicon, Inc. to produce and distribute the VESper Ventilator Expansion Splitter given emergency approval in late March. The device will be used to expand the capacity of a single respirator to two patients. (GSA Business Report)

Boeing to offer voluntary layoff packages

Boeing will offer voluntary layoff packages to employees in the coming weeks, a move that President and CEO Dave Calhoun says will help ensure the company emerges from the economic downturn in a position to succeed. More information on eligibility and how the program will work will be made available in the coming weeks. (Charleston Regional Business Journal)

Greenwood Mills switches from denim to masks

Greenwood Mills switched from making denim to non-medical grade masks just as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made new mask recommendations which may boost demand. Plans are underway to produce 500,000 masks and 300,000 hospital gowns per week when at full capacity. (GSA Business Report)

Milliken pivots to produce more PPE

The Spartanburg-based global company’s new advanced medical fabrics and barriers are available already and complement BioSmart antimicrobial technology used in scrubs, lab coats and hospital privacy curtains. Milliken also is researching and developing materials for incorporation into N95-grade masks. (GSA Business Report)