It’s a challenging time right now for all of us with the COVID-19 pandemic, but D+M Metal Products is still on the job, helping to keep essential businesses operating. While the public has a responsibility to stay at home and maintain a distance from friends and relatives to avoid the greater spread of the coronavirus, the manufacturing sector is working hard. We are providing companies with the products they need to function. This includes companies in the healthcare sector.
As a metal fabricator, D+M Metal does not usually manufacture entire products. The parts that we make go into larger items that people see or use all of the time. Some of these parts are incorporated into healthcare technology, patient monitoring, and clean room products. All of these are in high demand right now.
In recent days we’ve seen the grocery store shelves emptied of bleach and disinfectant wipes, but, unfortunately, chemical germ fighting is not very effective. We can’t see the germs we miss, and they can remain active on various surfaces for days. It’s very difficult, even for motivated and careful workers to completely sanitize everything.
One metro Grand Rapids company has a unique solution to combat bacteria and viruses that cause disease, including the coronavirus. Skytron developed a robot called the IPT 3000 that emits ultraviolet light. These rays function to short circuit viruses’ DNA so it cannot replicate itself. This is called ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. Sensors on the IPT 3000 determine how much UV light to emit and how long it must be in operation. This takes the guesswork out of using it for workers.
Hospitals and other area medical facilities have been using this technology for about a decade, but it’s also effective at destroying germs and bacteria in places like schools and prisons. For the safety of the public, however, it must be used only when there is no one present and certain safety precautions are taken.
This week Spectrum health announced that it will be using UV light to disinfect personal protective equipment like goggles, face shields, and other hard-surface items. They are also investigating whether they can use the same technology on masks so that they can be used repeatedly under current shortage conditions.
Many of our customers have been identified as Critical Infrastructure Business and have identified D+M Metal Products as an essential supplier which provides us with the same status. We are very busy at the current time filling orders from companies that need fabricated parts for medical equipment, air purification devices, and other manufactured products. We are communicating to our workers what to do to maintain hygiene and safety and taking measures to protect them so that they can do their jobs.
We know that the pandemic will not last forever, and the entire economy, including manufacturing, will go back to a more normal state. If you are a current customer or need fabricated parts, please contact us about your needs. We know that there are challenges now and will be more later, and we want to work with you and make sure we know your situation. Building and maintaining relationships with our customers, suppliers, and workers is part of our mission, and it’s how we do business.
To everyone out there doing their part to fight the coronavirus pandemic, stay safe and be well. Our best wishes go out to you and your loved ones.