GM FACES UP TO MASK SHORTAGE

GM launches rapid-response to produce face masks for covid-19 frontline workers; shares production plans to help meet critical demand.

Automaker GM changed lanes and accelerated production in its Warren, Mich. facility to make Level 1 face masks for the protection of frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. A core team of 30 engineers, designers, buyers and manufacturing team members developed and implemented a supply chain and production plan that broke land speed records, with the first production-made mask coming off the line in seven days, beating its initial target deadline by a healthy half-an-hour. Working through the weekend, more than 2,000 masks were produced. It can now make up to 1.5 million masks a month, and is sharing its production plans to help other manufacturers with their own mask production efforts. According to GM spokesperson Monte Doran, “More than 300 companies have downloaded our plans. We are also adding mask lines in other parts of the world, including a site in Mexico that is starting production this week to meet the outpouring of requests for masks.”