EDITOR’S LETTER (April 2020 issue of MRO Magazine)
Since the last issue of MRO Magazine, the world has been turned upside down with the continuing spread of COVID-19. Every day, what we consider to be “normal” changes dramatically, and we have to adapt to new measures put in place by local, provincial, and federal governments.
Photo Credit: GCShutter/Getty Images.
This has included the closure of non-essential businesses and the suspension of production in some plants. Some businesses have employees working remotely (mainly from home); other businesses, unfortunately, have cut down on staff in order to remain viable.
While much of what has been reported over the last little while has been negative, let’s try to focus on the positive stories. To help fight the pandemic, many Canadian manufacturers have actually pivoted from their regular products by making medical supplies that are in dire need.
Canada Goose will use its Toronto and Winnipeg facilities to make scrubs for healthcare workers and gowns for patients. They plan to donate them locally. Nova Scotia-based Stanfield’s, which makes undergarments, will be producing 2,000 medical gowns daily per shift. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is manufacturing protective masks for first responders and hospital and clinic workers across North America. Trusscore has started to make panels that hospitals can use to divide rooms. These panels have been delivered to hospitals in Guelph and Waterloo, Ont.
Ford of Canada is also producing face shields for the medical community at its Windsor Site operations and will distribute them throughout Ontario, and across Canada. Many distilleries are also converting their operations to help produce hand sanitizer.
The list of companies making a difference as they continue to operate is growing larger by the day. Canadians, it seems, can come together in times of crisis. Associations are also making a difference. Many have set up resources to assist their members, including web sites, webinars, workshops, Q&As, conference calls, and many other options. See Associations Helping Members During Pandemic.
While we wait to see what the next few months hold, in the meantime, from all of us here at MRO Magazine, stay healthy and stay safe.
