Ford SA flexes its agility with face shields for COVID-19 workers

Ford has strapped on its thinking caps – almost literally – and in a matter of days converted a section of its Silverton plant from Ranger and Everest assembly to a production line of face shields in the fight against COVID-19. These face shields will be distributed to medical staff on the front line as well as the military, police and other essential service providers.

If we’re counting, this is the third initiative Ford has put down on the grindstone against the COVID-19 pandemic; as a start 50,000 ventilators were made available in the USA, while localized efforts focused on repurposing media cars to Gift of the Givers. Now Ford’s face shields, might top the list in health and safety.

The face shields protect the user from the daily risks of infection by protecting the mouth, eyes and nose and their cars, there’s consideration for comfort thanks to an adjustable head band. The shields are being produced to global health standards – the USA is into their millionth one -, using a clear polyethylene shield, polyurethane foam padding . Each unit is packaged with clear instructions along with cleaning and storage guidelines. They are designed to be reusable, and sanitized after each use.

“The coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented, and is having a dramatic impact on the health of communities around the world while placing a massive strain on the medical resources of even the most advanced countries,” states Ockert Berry, VP Operations at FMCSA.

“With South Africa on lockdown and our plants not operating at the moment, we felt that it was essential for us to use our manufacturing capacity and expertise to contribute to the efforts of the South African government, private healthcare institutions and humanitarian organisations to contain the spread of COVID-19, and to care for those infected with the virus,” Berry says.

At the time of writing Ford has amassed 50,000 shields with a minimum target of 500,000 needing your help to reach. Starting with Ford’s own staff with an urgent plea extending to the general public, everyone is encouraged to make a whatever generous contribution by the following process.

Individuals and companies wishing to contribute to this initiative can send an e-mail to socialme@ford.com, using the reference: Ford SA COVID-19. The relevant banking details will be supplied.

“With the face shields in critically short supply, we are dedicating our resources and manpower to produce the face shields as quickly as possible,” Berry explains. “We are urgently engaging with our component suppliers and business partners, and inviting them to come on board and assist us with raising funds for this important project.

“We welcome any contributions from individuals and companies across South Africa to support this initiative, whether it’s R10, R10 000 or R100 000, every little bit counts,” Berry says. “Our goal is to produce at least 500 000 face shields, and possibly even more, so that we can assist the healthcare efforts across the country and even beyond our borders if necessary.”

Put us down for the Mustang face shield, we want to look good. Or do you want it tough like a Ranger? Ernest Page