Ford is producing face masks and face shields as part of initiatives to deliver a safe working environment for employees performing essential roles at Ford facilities in Europe during the COVID-19 crisis.
Production of personal protective equipment is already underway at Ford facilities in Germany, Romania, Spain and the UK. This is designed to ensure that Ford’s intention to restart initial production at most of its main continental European vehicle and engine plants next week does not add to worldwide demand for such equipment.
“We want our production facilities to be prepared and our staff protected – but we are determined to ensure that this has no impact on those tackling the COVID-19 crisis from getting the equipment they need,” said Rene Wolf, director of manufacturing, Ford of Europe.
Watch our video of mask production here: https://youtu.be/3WSZmfW8lDw
The company plans to increase output to meet the demand for the full resumption of European business, combining with a similar facility in the U.S. to provide global coverage of masks for Ford employees worldwide.
Mask production
The company’s Dunton Campus, in the UK, has risen to the challenge by installing two new purpose-built machines that are capable of producing between 60 and 90 general-use, disposable face masks per minute. Three teams of ten will work around the clock to produce the masks.
“To get these machines up and running in such a short time, the response from everyone involved has been just amazing,” said Chris White, manager, Dunton Technical Centre, Ford of Europe. “The machines were sourced from a company in China, and a Ford China team worked non-stop to prepare the delivery and ensured we could easily learn how to install and use them. Now, just a few weeks after the project was kicked off, we’ve already got our staff covered.”
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SOURCE: Ford Motor Company
