Wikimedia Commons/Tadeáš Bednarz
Wikimedia Commons/Tadeáš Bednarz
As the confirmed cases of COVID-19 increase around the world, the supply chains that produce and distribute protective medical equipment are feeling the strain.
However, one local manufacturer is stepping up to fill the void in face mask and face shield production.
Arizona's own Alpha Pro Tech, which normally produces face shields, says it will start a second shift at its Arizona factory to keep up with the demand for shields and face masks.
Beatrice O’Daly, who is the company’s plant manager in Nogales, Arizona said “It’s crazy, it’s crazy,” when asked about the constant demand for shields and masks. “And if required, we can have a third shift, but it’s hard to ramp up production that quick because we also have shortages on the raw materials so that’s what we’re working at right now. We can only do so much.”
Matt Potzler, who is Alpha Pro Tech’s materials manager in Nogales, pointed out that there is a large number of companies wanting to produce the face masks and face shields.
“Everybody and their mother wants to make face masks and face shields,” Potzler said.
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