Abraflex Limited, the Paisley-based manufacturer of protective wear for Bruce Power and other businesses in the nuclear industry, has shifted some of its business to assist area health care and other front-line workers in the fight against COVID-19.
Abraflex, with the support of Bruce Power and Bruce County, has started producing gowns to be used by physicians, nurses and other health-care workers. The company, as announced last week, has also joined with Bruce Power and the county to purchase a Clean Flow Health Care mini, used to sanitize personal protecting equipment (PPE) used by health-care workers.
“Our supply-chain partners have made large contributions to protecting our health-care workers as they look after patients with incredible compassion and courage every day in the face of this pandemic,” said Ross Thompson, Department Manager, Supply Chain Management. “What Abraflex has done in quickly mobilizing its employees and facility in Paisley to produce protective gowns for our hospitals and other health-care facilities is admirable and a reflection of what we’re seeing from many companies in the nuclear industry’s supply chain – a remarkable ability to react quickly and be innovative in this time of need.”
Among the changes made by Abraflex to address the need for PPE in Bruce and Grey counties are:
· Sourcing and purchasing of 100% polypropylene along with other pieces of new equipment being used in the manufacturing and sewing of the gowns;
· Creating a prototype of the gowns off a sample provided by Bruce County;
· Training existing employees on the new equipment and the procedures for manufacturing the gowns;
· Ensuring a safe work environment for its existing and new employees to work 12-hour shifts and weekends in ramping up production of the gowns.
“COVID-19 meant we had to isolate and change the way we’re doing business,” said John Bradley, President and CEO of Abraflex Limited. “Our social licence and moral compass directed us to support front-line workers the best we could.
“Bruce Power, by providing the guidance and leadership, gave us the support and confidence to retool and ramp up to provide these gowns to the health care community.”
Abraflex is currently producing 120 gowns daily in Paisley and plans to increase production.
“Companies across the nuclear supply chain have been among the leaders in the fight against COVID-19,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Mines, Northern Development and Indigenous Affairs. “This is yet another great example of Ontario companies working with their communities to rise to the challenge of this crisis to help protect front-line workers.”
Bill Walker, the Associate Minister of Energy, emphasized that today’s announcement is the latest example of businesses in his Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound riding collaborating to make a difference in the fight against COVID-19.
“Many thanks to Bruce Power and Abraflex for the innovation and great work they are doing to support those on the front lines, and for continuing to supply our province with safe, clean and reliable electricity during this pandemic,” Walker said.
source: media release, Bruce Power
