13.05.2020, 16:21
From Aerospace Parts to COVID-19 Masks
Aircraft components manufacturer, S.S. White Technologies, is distributing face masks to other manufacturers in Seminole, Florida, without charge during Covid-19.
As a manufacturer of critical aerospace and automotive parts – as well as orthopaedic instruments (which are made by its subsidiary, SHUKLA Medical), the company’s management knew it would be required to remain open if Florida’s governor issued a stay-at-home order.
Attempts to procure masks for employees proved futile, however, with stock shortages meaning priority for any new mask supplies had to be given to essential healthcare workers on frontline duties.
S.S. White therefore launched a project team headed by HR Manager, Sheryl Sheppard, who enlisted the expertise of Design Engineer, Brian Servedio, to created a washable, reusable mask design suitable for mass-production.
The manufacturer also set up, and rapidly tooled, a dedicated production line.
In response to appeals for masks from Mayor Leslie Waters of Seminole, Florida (S.S. White’s home city), the company has recently announced it is extending distribution of masks, without cost to recipients, to employees’ immediate families, local medical organizations, and the employees of other local manufacturers.
Mayor Waters recently referred to S.S. White president, Rahul Shukla, as a “true leader in our community”.
