Pandemic pivot: York companies retool to answer call for made-in-Ontario solutions

Dozens of York Region companies switch gears to support front lines of COVID-19 crisis as province gears up first stage of its road map to reopening

Yorkregion.com
May 22, 2020
Heidi Riedner

Ever since the province put out a call to action in March for "made-in-Ontario solutions" for critical supply shortages, York Region companies have stepped up in droves to respond.

Manufacturers are repurposing production lines to manufacture medical gear and supplies, while tech and biotech companies are providing innovative solutions and research to assist front-line responders and the government's response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Companies are stepping out of their comfort zones, pumping out new products using existing resources. The mobilization includes everything from beauty and beer companies rolling out much-needed hand sanitizer to businesses 3D printing face and sneeze shields.

Automotive, aerospace and power generation parts industries have pivoted to supply much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE), while tech companies are repurposing some of their capabilities and offering AI solutions for free to health care and government institutions.

"Ontario's businesses stepped up at the outset of this crisis, not only to keep their workers and customers safe, but to come forward with innovative ideas and solutions that represent the best of the Ontario spirit," said Vic Fedeli, minister of economic development, job creation and trade, during the province's briefing held on May 14.

To assist companies looking to provide tech solutions or retool their operations in order to manufacture essential medical supplies and equipment – including gowns, coveralls, masks, face shields, testing equipment and ventilators – the province launched the $50-million Ontario Together Fund, which supports the development of proposals submitted by businesses and individuals through the Ontario Together web portal.

"This new website is truly a made-in-Ontario approach, with Ontario businesses helping Ontario businesses," Fedeli added.

In addition to the province, the Government of Canada and the National Research Council of Canada are looking for businesses that can support the COVID-19 response.

The Region of York's database of which companies have stepped up so far includes more than three dozen businesses to date, including:

AURORA

Curb Signs has been making many PPE products, including face shields for front-line workers and distancing signage for workplace employees.

Magna International Inc. is ready to ramp up production of sanitization devices if it can find a testing partner to prove that they can eliminate the virus that causes COVID-19.

NEWMARKET

AirBoss of America Corp. has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the manufacture and sale of 100,000 FlexAir™ Powered Air Purifying Respirator (“PAPR”) systems, 600,000 filters, and related accessories. The contract is expected to be worth an aggregate amount of US$96.4 million.

Design Plastics International has adjusted its operations to manufacture COVID-19 shield face masks and can currently produce 5,000 to 10,000 per day, but is looking at the potential of scaling up to 50,000 per day if required based on sales demand.

Market Brewing Company has pivoted their operations as an alcohol producer to begin manufacturing Health Canada-approved hand sanitizer to support the COVID-19 response, with the first batch being delivered to Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket.

NewMakeIt, a makerspace in Newmarket, is working with Newmarket Public Library staff to utilize 3D printers to make up to 200 face shields per week to support local front-line workers. Visit their website here.

TUV SUD is a medical development test lab that is now providing fast-track testing for new ventilator products.

MARKHAM

EAIGLE made modifications to its artificial intelligence technology to help with the current situation caused by COVID-19. They’ve implemented remote crowd and body-temperature monitoring into their AI solution to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in essential service facilities and public spaces.

Enghouse Systems and its subsidiary, Vidyo, have developed a program to help health units dramatically scale up their telemedicine capabilities to combat and mitigate risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program allows for new or existing clients to increase the time or bandwidth they use by multiples of up to 10, to meet needs as they arise. The new program is available as an on-premises, hybrid or cloud-based solution.

Ensil is offering free repairs for all medical devices related to the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.

Everlink has made a significant donation to the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation to aid its efforts in battling the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation will help fund the purchase of urgently needed PPE for all hospital staff.

The team at Flato Developments, a builder and land developer of commercial and residential communities, continues to donate KN95 and surgical masks to front-line workers in communities across southern Ontario, including those at Markham Stouffville Hospital.

Tech giant IBM and the City of Markham launched an online and telephone virtual agent for questions related to COVID-19. IBM is offering Watson Assistant for Citizens to governments, health care and academic institutions via the IBM public cloud, free of charge for at least 90 days, along with access to IBM experts who will help organizations set up the virtual agent.

Microart Services is ramping up its manufacturing of electronic components for medical ventilators, which are urgently needed to assist hospitals dealing with increased numbers of critically-ill patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

RICHMOND HILL

Amico has been manufacturing medical products and equipment that are being used by hospitals and industry partners in the fight against COVID-19.

Apotex has provided pharmaceuticals to support six clinical trials taking place in Canada to better understand the impact of this product in fighting COVID-19.

C17 Media has prototyped their design and begun their goal to produce 100,000 face masks that will be given to front-line workers. A GoFundMe campaign has been started, if you’d like to support them with this effort.

Creative Path is now producing PPE face shields to donate to local hospitals. A GoFundMe campaign has been developed and already surpassed its goal of $10,000 to cover the cost of producing 10,000 face shields.

iSIGN Media is offering free use of its Safety Alert Messaging (“SAM”) solution to all levels of medical, health and emergency responders across Canada for the next six months.

Laipac Technology, an industrial-focused IoT device designer and manufacturer, has switched operational gears to support the COVID-19 response in a variety of ways, including developing a surgical face mask production machine.

Makerwiz, a creative enterprise dedicated to promoting the Maker Movement, is using its 3D printers to make a protective face shield for staff in seniors' homes, and will donate some of its product to help keep health-care workers safe.

SMP Canada has retooled its operations to focus on the production of face masks to support the response to COVID-19.

Plexxus is working closely with the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health to identify inventory levels and gaps. They have also facilitated several capital procurement orders for Ontario Health to help in the fight against COVID-19.

Tavos Industries has developed environmentally-friendly packaged single-use hand sanitizer packages that are being distributed throughout the community to support the COVID-19 response.

The STEAM Project -- a collaborative approach to learning that allows both children and teens to enjoy science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics, without the limitations of teaching or learning in a traditionally structured school setting -- has pivoted to 3D printing full face shields for front-line emergency workers.

VAUGHAN

Besi, a professional glass and panel installation company, is now making "sneeze shields."

Headquartered in Vaughan, York Region Drone Delivery Canada is in discussions with the federal government to review drone regulations. Given all that’s happening with COVID-19, they can provide assistance with flying medical and other urgent supplies to remote and rural communities across Canada.

HI-Tech EDM is typically a parts manufacturer for the automotive, aerospace and power generation industries, but has pivoted to manufacturing face shields to support Mackenzie Health front-line health-care workers.

The Last Straw Distillery transformed its production line to make 1,000 litres per week of much-needed hand sanitizers. Priority was given to special needs homes and nursing homes, as well as a number of different first responders, including Canada Border Services agencies and the people who have to continue to work in high-risk positions.

Leo Lab is a custom orthotics company that has transitioned to 3D printing 500 face shields per day in support of the "Sens Shielding Heroes Campaign."

Auto parts manufacturers Martinrea International Inc., Magna International Inc., and Linamar Corp. reached an agreement with the province to see how they can help build medical equipment such as ventilators, which are necessary to treat COVID-19 but are in limited supply in countries grappling with a spike in hospitalizations.

Perla Soaps is ramping up its production and manufacturing of about 100,000 units of hand sanitizer for organizations that need it most, including health services and front-line relief agencies, as well as the Salvation Army and other shelters.

Plastic fabrication company Plas-Tech pivoted nearly overnight and is now one of Ontario’s top PPE suppliers, producing over one million face masks in the fight against COVID-19.

Proto3000 is providing 3D printing support related to the production of PPE face shields and ventilator components and parts.

SmartCentres REIT is offering rent-free use of a total of up to 1 million square feet of space in 200 shopping centres across the country, as well as its land, parking lots and signage, to all Canadian governments and health care authorities to assist in their COVID-19 support efforts.

The Woodbridge Auto Group factory in Vaughan began making respirator masks that they say have the same pathogen-blocking qualities of the much-sought-after N95 masks, which are not produced anywhere in Canada.