Medical ventilators on store exhibition
Honda has converted part of its technical center in Marysville, Ohio, to make parts for and assemble ventilators in conjunction with Reading, Pennsylvania-based Dynaflo Inc., joining other automakers that are helping supply medical equipment during the coronavirus crisis.
Specifically, Honda will expand Dynaflo’s production of diaphragm compressors, a crucial component of the portable ventilators used in hospitals to treat patients with severe cases of COVID-19.
The goal is for the two companies eventually to make 10,000 compressors per month through the end of August.
“Honda associates have transformed a portion of our technical training center into an assembly line that will help support the urgent need to produce ventilator components,” said Rick Schostek, Honda North America executive vice president. “With our supply of these key components to Dynaflo, we hope to help address one of the most pressing needs within the COVID-19 crisis.”
The process borrows from Honda’s engineering and manufacturing expertise to quickly boost production above Dynaflo’s current capacity. All workers will maintain appropriate social distancing protocols.
Dynaflo had been making about 75 compressors per week prior to the COVID-19 crisis, but demand is greater than that now.
To expediate their plan Dynaflo and Honda partnered with Stop the Spread, a coalition of volunteer executives working to support the government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Being connected to Honda of America has been a Godsend,” William Fleming, Dynaflo president, said in a statement. “Combining our diaphragm compressor technology with Honda’s expertise in mass production is a perfect combination to help meet the needs of this crisis.”
Honda halted auto production on March 23, joining General Motors
Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles planned to restart manufacturing May 18 at its U.S. plants. The United Auto Workers, which represents hourly workers at nearly all those plants, has not yet agreed to that date.
At least 27 UAW members have died since late March. While the coronavirus pandemic is believed to have contributed to their deaths, it is not exactly clear how they contracted the virus.
