BENTON HARBOR, Mich.,
May 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation, Dow and
Reynolds Consumer Products are pleased to announce a collaboration
to provide much-needed respirators to the heroic men and women in
healthcare who are working on the frontlines to combat the spread
of COVID-19. The joint project is a protective piece of headgear
and respirator system that will be manufactured and sold through
WIN Health Labs, LLC, in addition to an initial donation to
hospitals.
"We are using our supply of N95 masks and respirators at a rate
10 times higher than normal," said Loren B.
Hamel, MD, president of Spectrum Health Lakeland in
St. Joseph, Michigan, near
Whirlpool Corporation's Global Headquarters. "These are some of the
most critical medical supplies to help ensure the safety of
frontline workers who are often in direct contact with patients
infected with the virus."
The personal protective equipment (PPE) created by the joint
team is a powered, air-purifying respirator, or PAPR, which takes
the place of a traditional medical mask and visor and features a
replaceable polyethylene hood. The clear hoods are both flexible
and comfortable, and can quickly be replaced between patients.
Each of the companies was looking for ways to help, and through
those efforts this unique collaboration was born. "Volunteers
within each of the companies began reaching out to local healthcare
providers to inquire how they could be helpful," said Christian Gianni, President of WIN Health Labs
and VP of Technology for Whirlpool Corporation. "In order to
accelerate the design process, we created a virtual, agile team
that was able to go from paper to approved product in just seven
weeks. Through this unique relationship and a huge amount of effort
by a very talented group of people, we are now manufacturing
respirators and are in a position to help our frontline healthcare
providers."
Whirlpool Corporation designed, manufactured and assembled the
headset. Dow provided the polyethylene resin for the hoods, and
Reynolds Consumer Products, makers of Hefty® brand, designed and
produced the disposable hood. Volkswagen of America brokered
connections with materials and supply chain partners to source
critical components.
"This collaboration is a testament to the private sector's
continued commitment and quick actions to work across industries to
innovate healthcare solutions at a time of unprecedented need,"
said Jim Fitterling, chairman and
CEO, Dow. "Team Dow is proud to be a part of this effort, and to
continue to contribute our time, talent and material science
expertise in the fight against COVID-19."
Two thousand units are being produced in the first phase for
donation to hospitals located in regions where Whirlpool and Dow
have operations, as well as other hospitals in need of PPE. To get
the needed PPE to as many healthcare providers as possible, the
Hefty® team is donating the first 1 million hoods. "We are pleased
to be able to contribute to this solution to provide PPE that is
both safe and effective. Supplies will be available so they can use
a fresh barrier as needed," said CEO, Lance
Mitchell, Reynolds Consumer Products. "Multiple companies
providing their expertise have moved this project forward quickly
at a time when it was most needed."
The response to COVID-19 is ongoing and will be for some time,
according to Nicki Britten, health
officer for the Berrien County,
Michigan Health Department. "Without the needed PPE for our
essential healthcare workers, we will continue to see further
spread of the virus, ultimately resulting in more lives lost due to
COVID-19."
The respirator is in production and is made available in a
shortened time frame under guidelines set forth by the Food and
Drug Administration's (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization authority,
which allows the agency to facilitate the availability and use of
medical countermeasures needed during public health
emergencies.
"We recognize the bravery and commitment of healthcare workers
throughout this crisis," said Marc
Bitzer, chairman and CEO, Whirlpool Corporation. "Working
with Dow and Reynolds, we are honored to provide this critical
equipment to frontline healthcare workers to help them protect
themselves and their patients while they battle this pandemic."
About Whirlpool Corporation:
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is the leading major appliance
manufacturer in the world, with approximately $20 billion in annual sales, 77,000 employees and
59 manufacturing and technology research centers in 2019. The
company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp,
Amana, Bauknecht, JennAir, Indesit and other major brand names in
nearly every country throughout the world. Additional information
about the company can be found at whirlpoolcorp.com.
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth, asset integration and
scale, focused innovation and leading business positions to achieve
profitable growth. The Company's ambition is to become the most
innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials
science company. Dow's portfolio of plastics, industrial
intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad
range of differentiated science-based products and solutions for
its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging,
infrastructure and consumer care. Dow operates 109 manufacturing
sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 36,500 people. Dow
delivered sales of approximately $43
billion in 2019. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow
Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit
www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.
About Reynolds Consumer Products
Reynolds Consumer Products (REYN: Nasdaq) is a leading provider of
household products that simplify daily life so you can enjoy what
matters most. Our namesake Reynolds products include the iconic
Reynolds Wrap® aluminum foil, Reynolds Kitchens® parchment paper,
plastic wrap, oven bags, and slow cooker liners. The Hefty® brand
is known for strong, dependable waste bags, slider bags, plates and
cups. For more information, visit ReynoldsKitchens.com and
Hefty.com.
About WIN Health Labs, LLC
WIN Health Labs, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Whirlpool
Corporation, formed to provide, manufacture, and distribute covered
countermeasures to help combat the COVID-19 public health
emergency. More information can be found at WINHealthlabs.com.
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SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation