Speedtech International, Inc. Partners with Ventec Life Systems and GM to Provide Hook & Loop for Ventilators in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
April 8, 2020 RACINE, WI — Speedtech International is proud to support General Motors and Ventec Life Systems in their production of critical care ventilators. As one of roughly 90 suppliers Worldwide supporting the GM/Ventec initiative, Speedtech will provide Custom SPEEDWRAP® Hook & Loop Fasteners needed to support these devices.
As reported on GM’s website, this partnership combines global expertise in manufacturing quality and a joint commitment to safety to give medical professionals and patients access to life-saving technology as rapidly as possible. Ventec and GM are working around the clock to meet the urgent need for more ventilators. Efforts to set up tooling and manufacturing capacity at the GM Kokomo facility are already underway to produce Ventec’s critical care ventilator, VOCSN.
plans to build 200,000 ventilators
Depending on the needs of the federal government, Ventec and GM are poised to deliver the first ventilators next month and ramp up to a manufacturing capacity of more than 10,000 critical care ventilators per month with the infrastructure and capability to scale further. The company has plans to build 200,000 ventilators.
“We are proud to stand with other American companies and our skilled employees to meet the needs of this global pandemic,” said Mary Barra, GM chairman and CEO. “This partnership has rallied the GM enterprise and our global supply base to support Ventec, and the teams are working together with incredible passion and commitment. I am proud of this partnership as we work together to address urgent and life-saving needs.”
Custom Hook & Loop for PPE
The SPEEDWRAP® Hook & Loop Fasteners manufactured in Racine, Wisconsin will be one of 700 parts that make up these life-saving devices. Speedtech President and Founder, Chris Karnowski explains, “We are just a small company doing our small part in this fight. In Speedtech’s 25 years, I have never been more proud of our people and the role our products are playing.”
Deemed an essential business due to their support of to GM/Ventec and other medical device manufacturers, Speedtech has been allowed to remain open during the State’s Shelter at Home Mandate. Since that order went into effect, Speedtech has taken extra steps to ensure worker safety including following suggestions from GM’s own medical advisors and the CDC.
As Speedtech Vice President, Steve Pope reports, “During this stressful time, it can feel good to work, as long as distancing can be in effect and you can work safely. To be able to work on a product that will compliment a life-saving device creates an entirely different feeling. A feeling of purpose and contribution.”
SPEEDWRAP® & VELCRO® Brand Fastener Support
Speedtech is currently manufacturing other custom Hook & Loop Fasteners for use with face guards and other medical products that are designed to protect frontline medical workers. If you need a SPEEDWRAP® or VELCRO® Brand Fastener to help with your fight against COVID-19, we encourage you to contact us today to see if Speedtech or one of our partners can help.
Speedtech International, Inc
262-635-9393 or [email protected]
www.speedtechinternational.com
Media Questions: Contact Steve Pope, Speedtech 262-635-9393 x300
More information may also be found on GM’s Website.
