KOKOMO, Ind., April 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- General Motors Co.
(NYSE: GM) is actively training employees at the company's
Kokomo plant in the extensive
screening, cleaning and other CDC-recommended procedures that will
be in place when volume production of Ventec Life Systems' critical
care ventilator begins in less than two weeks. Among the employees
is UAW Local 292 member Debbie
Hollis of Kokomo.
"I have family all across the country, so (COVID-19) has
impacted everybody that I know and love," Hollis said. "I'm
grateful that I get a chance to do my part and be a part of
something...we are modern-day Rosie the Riveters."
Hollis and the production team, which will grow to more than
1,000 men and women, including people who already work for GM and
new hires from the Kokomo area,
are also gaining hands-on exposure to Ventec's ventilator.
"Every ventilator we build can help save lives, and GM's global
supply base and manufacturing teams, the UAW, and the Kokomo community are working with passion and
unwavering commitment to get the job done," said Gerald Johnson, GM executive vice president,
Global Manufacturing. "People have moved mountains to help increase
production of Ventec's critical care ventilator and we are just
weeks away from delivering these lifesaving devices. I have never
seen anything like it in my career."
Kokomo Mayor Tyler Moore said his community is more than
ready to do its part, "At this critical moment in our country's
battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kokomo community applauds GM and Ventec
leadership for joining the fight by producing much-needed medical
ventilators here in their Kokomo
facilities. At the same time, they have placed their trust in
our community and the incredible Kokomo-area workforce. Kokomo is deeply honored to be a part of this
extraordinary endeavor in these extraordinary times."
Saving Lives and Keeping People Safe
To help protect
people working at the Kokomo
plant, extensive screening, cleaning and other CDC-recommended
procedures will be in place.
Arrival for Work:
- Everyone arriving for work will be required to sanitize their
hands immediately upon arrival and have their temperature checked
with a non-contact thermometer before entering the job site.
- Everyone will work their shift wearing medical-grade protective
masks, including masks produced at GM's Warren, Michigan facility.
At Work:
- There will be a 30-minute interval between shifts to allow
employees to clean their workstations when they arrive and again
before they leave.
- There will be signage throughout the facility reminding team
members to practice social distancing.
- Each workstation will be manned by one person, and each
workstation will be spaced at least six feet apart.
- Cleaning crews will clean and sanitize common touch surfaces
such as door handles, as well as common areas, at least three times
per shift.
Between Shifts:
- Initial production will begin with one shift, with second and
third shifts added soon thereafter.
- Each shift will enter and exit through a different door to
minimize social contact.
"The men and women building these ventilators raised their hands
to help save the lives of people suffering from COVID-19," said Dr.
Jeffery E. Hess, GM corporate
medical director. "We will create a safe workplace using CDC
guidelines and scientific data."
Strong Support from UAW Leadership
The health and
safety of every person who enters a GM facility is the top priority
for GM and the UAW, especially as people come together to meet the
country's need for ventilators.
"As our nation struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteer
UAW-GM members are doing a tremendous service for our country by
volunteering to come to work to make ventilators in Kokomo," said Terry
Dittes, vice president, UAW-GM Department. "For that
reason, the UAW has worked with GM to put in place stringent CDC
health and safety protocols. Our goal is to make sure that each and
every day, people return home to their families and communities
safe and healthy. We applaud their courage in volunteering in our
nation's time of need, and we commend GM for working with the UAW
to save lives across this country."
Added Greg Wohlford, UAW Local
292 shop chairperson, "Our members responded to the call for help
with courage and a desire to help America save its citizens' lives.
We have pledged, along with GM, to do everything we can to make
sure that we keep these everyday heroes safe from illness and
injury. The UAW is excited about working with Ventec and GM to
produce ventilators in Kokomo,
Indiana."
A Phone Call Sets an Unprecedented Effort into
Motion
The unprecedented teamwork that has allowed
ventilator production in Kokomo to
move forward so quickly began with a March
17 phone call between General Motors Chairman and CEO
Mary Barra and representatives of
StopTheSpread.Org, who suggested GM work with Ventec.
StopTheSpread.org was founded by Kenneth
Chenault, chairman and managing director at General Catalyst
and the former chief executive and chairman of American Express,
and Rachel Romer Carlson, the chief
executive and co-founder of Guild Education.
- GM and Ventec executives had their first conference call on
Wednesday, March 18 to explore how GM
may be able to help Ventec increase ventilator production.
- The next day, a GM team flew to Seattle to meet with the Ventec team and roll
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.
- Mass production begins in mid-April. Production will quickly
scale up to 10,000 critical care ventilators or more per
month.
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.
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SOURCE General Motors Co.