Photo used with permission ©Patrick Dove/USA TODAY NETWORK
April 2, 2020
Piper Aircraft, Inc., recently announced it has modified certain production capabilities to make personal protective equipment for Florida’s Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Piper’s Manufacturing Engineering team designed a prototype face shield and set up a designated production area. The company is now capable of producing more than 1,000 face shields each day using commonly available materials, including plastic, industrial tape, foam and elastic.
“This is a critical time for our community, our country and the world. It is a time for action, cooperation and collaboration,” said James Funk, Piper’s chief operations officer in a company press release. “We want healthcare providers, especially, and patients to be safe. Therefore, it’s vital that we all pull together to help our community, weather this crisis and come out the other side stronger than ever.”
Piper, which is headquartered in Vero Beach, FL, and employs about 1,100 people, is also donating more than 1,300 N95 masks to Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital. The masks are typically used by aircraft production employees. The company said it will continue production of face shields until demand is met.
“This is just one small way that we are trying to help,” said Funk.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.