NNPA NEWSWIRE — “Until there is a vaccine, critical care ventilators give medical professionals the tools they need to fight this pandemic and save lives,” said Ventec Life Systems CEO Chris Kiple. “This partnership is an historic effort and a great reminder of what can be accomplished with the power of American innovation and American manufacturing skill uniting together around a singular mission to save lives.”
OKOMO, Ind. – General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today began mass
production of the Ventec Life Systems V+Pro critical care ventilator under
contract to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“Thousands of men and women at GM, Ventec, our suppliers and
the Kokomo community have rallied to support their neighbors and the medical
professionals on the front lines of this pandemic,” said GM Chairman and CEO
Mary Barra. “Everyone wants to help turn the tide and save lives. It is
inspiring and humbling to see the passion and commitment people have put into
this work.”
Said White House Assistant to the President Peter Navarro: “GM
has moved swiftly in Trump time to manufacture one of the most critical
lifesaving devices in America’s war against the coronavirus. GM’s rapid
mobilization of America’s manufacturing might in defense of our country is a
proud salute to the ingenuity of its engineers, the true grit of its UAW
workers on the line, and America’s doctors, nurses, and other healthcare
professionals fighting for our lives at the front lines. As these lifesaving
ventilators roll off GM’s assembly line as fast as tanks once did in an earlier
World War, they will be rapidly deployed to the hospitals of Gary, Chicago, and
far beyond.”
In less than a month, Ventec, GM’s supply chain and its
manufacturing, logistics, legal, and talent acquisition teams were able to
marshal support to deliver a 30,000-unit order from the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services.
“Until there is a vaccine, critical care ventilators give
medical professionals the tools they need to fight this pandemic and save
lives,” said Ventec Life Systems CEO Chris Kiple. “This partnership is an
historic effort and a great reminder of what can be accomplished with the power
of American innovation and American manufacturing skill uniting together around
a singular mission to save lives.”
The effort involved sourcing hundreds of parts and assemblies
from suppliers; the design of a new manufacturing process; the transformation
of GM’s Kokomo factory; the ongoing hiring of more than 1,000 manufacturing team
members; and the implementation of extensive health and safety protocols in the
workplace.
Throughout the effort, GM had strong support from the
leadership of the United Auto Workers, including the UAW-GM Department and UAW
Local 292, community groups and elected officials in Kokomo, the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the
White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy.
More than 600 ventilators will be shipped this month, almost
half the order will be filled by the end of June and the full order will be
completed by the end of August. GM has the capacity to build more ventilators
after August if needed.
A strong sense of urgency was present from the beginning:
GM and Ventec executives had their first conference calls on
Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18 to explore how GM could help Ventec
increase ventilator production.
The next day, a GM team flew to Seattle to meet with the
Ventec team and rolled up their sleeves to help.
On Friday, March 20, GM engaged its global supply base and
within 72 hours, they had developed plans to source 100 percent of the
necessary parts.
The UAW’s national and local leadership embraced the project
and on Wednesday, March 25, crews began preparing the Kokomo site for
production.
On Wednesday, April 8, the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services awarded GM a contract under the Defense Production Act to build 30,000
Ventec V+Pro critical care ventilators.
GM and Ventec are committed to providing ongoing progress
updates, photos, and videos to document the work of this partnership at a new
microsite, www.VentecGM.com.
General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company committed to
delivering safer, better and more sustainable ways for people to get around.
General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles
under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Holden, Baojun and Wuling brands.
More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a
global leader in vehicle safety and security services, and Maven, its personal
mobility brand, can be found at http://www.gm.com.
Ventec Life Systems is redefining respiratory care to improve
patient outcomes and reduce caregiver challenges from the hospital to home.
Ventec’s leading product, VOCSN, is the first and only Multi-Function
Ventilator that seamlessly integrates five devices – a critical care
Ventilator, 6 L/min equivalent Oxygen concentrator, touch button Cough assist,
hospital grade Suction, and a high-performance Nebulizer – into one integrated
respiratory system that is lightweight and mobile. VOCSN is fully customizable
to meet patient needs for pediatric and adult patients. Learn more at
VentecLife.com and connect with Ventec on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter,
and Instagram.