South Central Indiana Companies Shift Production in Response to State’s Call
Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced Indiana businesses across the state are answering the call to support the global novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response effort. The state’s manufacturers are leveraging their resources, supply chains, and Hoosier workers to produce personal protection equipment (PPE) for health care providers, while business and community leaders have stepped up to source and donate additional materials.
Several South Central Indiana companies have answered the call, shifting production to manufacture much needed materials during this crisis. These industries include:
- Decatur Mold (Jennings County): Molds for Face Shields
- Royer Corporation (Jefferson County): Face Shield components
- SuperATV (Jefferson County): Full-face shields, intubation shields, and retail employee protective barriers
In total, the state has ordered more than 1 million face masks, 763,000 face shields, 141,000 gloves, 68,000 gowns, 10,000 goggles, and 6,700 bottles of hand sanitizer. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), which expects these figures to grow, has been in conversation with more than 450 additional Hoosier companies that have pledged their assistance and are exploring ways to support PPE production and procurement as well as related services.
Additionally, the IEDC noted that the total number of PPE donations is likely much higher than 440,000 as Indiana businesses, charitable organizations and residents across the state have been donating items directly to hospitals and to shelters in their local communities.