CIANJ Commerce Magazine May 2020 | Page 24

COVER STORY New Jersey Manufacturers Retool After COVID-19 Some 242 New Jersey manufacturers retooled their plants to help make masks, gowns and other personal protection equipment for healthcare workers. By Diane C. Walsh Executive VP, CIANJ U nlike many retail outlets and other hard- hit industries, most New Jersey man- ufacturers kept their doors open and plants adapted to the new normal caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Pro- gram (NJMEP), a private, not-for-profit that helps manufacturers stay competitive, estimated 93 per- cent of the state’s 11,000 manufacturers were up and working during the ongoing crisis. Some 242 companies pitched in by concentrating their efforts or retooling their plants to help make the desper- ately needed masks, gowns and other personal pro- tection equipment needed by healthcare workers. CIANJ spoke with several of our member man- ufacturers to discuss how they were affected. Madeleine Robinson, the CEO of LPS In- dustries, said it’s business as usual for the most part at her packaging plant in Moonachie. The 61-year-old company founded by Robinson’s late father, John P. Robinson, is considered an “essential” business as a supplier to the food and medical industry, Their products include the specially sealed packaging used to hold virus test kits and the stand-up pouches for select food items com- monly found on grocers’ shelves. There’s great demand for some of LPS’s products due to the dire situation afflicting the nation. 22  COMMERCE    www. commercemagnj.com While orders have increased, Robinson said her workers are keeping pace. “People are ner- vous, but we’re fine,” she said. On the LPS web- site it’s a COVID-19 update stating: “We’re Open and Ready to Help.” It also explains the workers are complying with the Centers for Disease Con- trol and Prevention standards for hygiene. Robinson is also trying to do her part for businesses straining to stay open. Twice a week, she is buying lunch for her 200 employees from a local pizzeria or restaurant. “They’re thrilled to get the business.” Salvatore Freda Jr., the president of Brewster Washers in Fairfield, said he was lucky to have found an old case of N95 masks in the back of his shop. His nine employees are all wearing the masks and gloves and abiding by the six-foot social distancing guidelines. Brewster has been making round washers, shims, discs and spacers for 100 years. Honeywell recently put in a rush order for four times the size of its usual order. Freda believes the parts will be used in ventilators to fight the pandemic. “It’s a rush and we’re pushing forward with it,” said Freda, who expects to deliver the parts in three weeks. Triangle Manufacturing, a medical device manufacturer in Upper Saddle River that employs 215 workers, is also looking for opportunities to support the cause, said Dax Strohmeyer, the president. He responded to a call from Metronics, a ventilator manufactur- er, but was unable to fill the order because Tri- angle does not use the specified machinery. Meanwhile, Strohmeyer said procedures throughout his four buildings have changed, ranging from small adjustments, like stagger- ing lunch times so the fewer workers in the caf- eteria can practice social distancing, to hiring a daily cleaning service. He has also been very flexible with PTO for associates uncomfortable with coming to work and others who do not have childcare. Once some normalcy returns, Strohmeyer said he will sort through the PTO reports. But he is bracing for a “complete mess.” Strohmeyer tries to keep abreast of the latest news and information from all sources. He is in regular contact with colleagues in manufac- turing and other industries. “I try to extend my network as best as possible.”