For the last few months, Millennium Die Group has been making dies for various companies to produce PPE. Some already had similar operations for producing this type of equipment, such as plastics thermoforming company Prent Industries, while others pivoted their operations, like hockey equipment manufacturer Bauer, to accommodate the new need for personal protective equipment production.
Within just a few hours one day in late March, we were able to rush a die to Prent Industries so they could make 10,000 faceshields within 48 hours. These shields were donated to the Mercy hospital system in Janesville, WI to fill their urgent shortage. Prent have continued to make millions more face shields in the ensuing weeks and months.
As reported by ESPN, Bauer transitioned within 4 days from making hockey and lacrosse equipment to producing face shields. As a business that was shutting down operations due to not being deemed “essential,” this switch had the added benefit that it allowed them to keep their employees working under CDC guidelines.
Another of our customers used our dies to cut fabrics for New Balance to make their face masks and face coverings. MA Gov Charlie Baker held a press conference at the New Balance factory in June where they recognized the efforts of New Balance and all companies working to keep us all safe.
Besides the commonly known PPE of face shields, masks, and gowns/aprons, other uses for dies that are relevant to curbing the spread of coronavirus are for cutting labels and signage. We have worked with customers to develop dies that cut labels to seal a hotel room after it has been sanitized. There is perforation in the middle of the sticker, so that when the door is opened by the hotel guest, it breaks in the middle, and thus breaks the room seal. Stickers and signs reminding people to social distance can also be cut using our dies.
If you have any needs related to preventing the spread of coronavirus, please contact us.
For more information, read more or view this press release.