SHELBY — As healthcare professionals continue to work on the front lines of the nation’s battle with COVID-19, manufacturers across the country are exploring ways to help by shifting production towards personal protective equipment (PPE).
One company that innovated to meet the growing demand is Cooper Enterprises in Shelby. Cooper specializes in custom woodworking and lamination products, but was able to use existing equipment to make plastic face shields.
“Offering this product aligns with both our current manufacturing services and company mission,” said Director of Business Development Bob Carcione. “Our CNC machines are designed to handle both wood and plastic, and we are able to provide a variety of solutions to meet the needs of our customers.”
The shields are disposable and designed for healthcare workers to help prevent the spread of illness. The products consist of a plastic shield, head strap and clip, all machined by Cooper Enterprises.
If necessary, the company can produce up to 28,000 masks per shift.
The manufacturer has also started making a line of cashier shields and workplace shields that can be used in other essential industries, such as banking and retail. These shields are made with transparent materials such as acrylic plexiglass and can be cut to size. Most of the cashier shields are approximately one-eighth of an inch thick.
According to Brumenschenkel, both products were designed by the company’s engineers in a span of less than two weeks.
“The coronavirus has presented many new challenges for businesses. We are happy that Cooper Enterprises can provide businesses with products that help protect the health of their employees and customers,” said Director of Business Development Bob Carcione.
Cooper Enterprises is not alone in its efforts to make PPE. There’s been a shift in the industry nationwide.
“With our CNC machines we have been able to do plastics like acrylic and HPDE and we’re definitely seeing more of that now as compared to the wood,” Brumenschenkel said. “A lot of woodworking companies in the US have been moving to more of these products.”
