MiMfg September 2020 | Page 24

24 MiMfg Magazine September 2020 @ MFG What’s Happening Work in Michigan Manufacturing Governor Whitmer and Ford Announce MI Mask Aid Partnership Ford Motor Company, an MMA member company since January 1965, joined with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on 8/14/20 to announce a new partnership to provide four million free masks to the state’s most vulnerable. The program, MI Mask Aid, is part of the state’s Mask Up Michigan campaign. “Michigan needs to continue to ‘mask up’ to protect us all from COVID-19,” Governor Whitmer said. “Vulnerable populations may have difficulties buying masks and our schools need face coverings to keep students, staff and community members safe. I am thrilled that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Ford and FEMA are working together to help control the spread of the coronavirus.” The free masks include 1.5 million from FEMA that the state has already sent to local organizations, an additional 1 million FEMA face coverings and 1.5 million masks from Ford. “Manufacturing is the backbone of America and from World War II to fighting COVID-19, Ford has a rich history of stepping up in times of crisis to help Michigan and our country,” said Ford Motor Company president and CEO Jim Hackett. “And today we continue in our efforts, with the State of Michigan and in coordination with the Task Force on Racial Disparities, by donating face masks to serve photo credit: Office of the Governor of the State of Michigan communities especially vulnerable to COVID-19. We also will continue to look for ways to address urgent needs of our communities by leveraging our partnerships through the Ford Motor Company Fund.” The project is in partnership with the Governor’s Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “I’m thankful for our partners at Ford, FEMA and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for coming together in a big way to ensure that our communities, particularly those hardest hit, have what they need to get through these tough times,” said Lt. Governor Gilchrist. “By delivering four million masks at no cost to Michiganders, we can provide a proven, lifesaving device to countless residents as they go back to work, school, and define new ways of living during this pandemic.” To find a distribution location, call the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 or look up your local Community Action Agency at mcac.memberclicks.net. Ford CEO Jim Hackett joined with Governor Gretchen Whitmer to announce MI Mask Aid, a public-private partnership donating 4.5 million masks to Michigan’s most vulnerable populations. Lear Partners to Pursue New Intelligent Tech Lear Corporation, a global automotive technology leader in seating and MMA member since 2010, announced a collaboration with global thermal technology innovator Gentherm to develop the INTU™ Thermal Comfort with ClimateSense™ seating system. The system aims to create an ideal personal climate through its intelligent software, using ambient cabin conditions to provide optimized comfort. “Today’s consumers are looking to personalize their in-vehicle experience with smart, predictive options that are highly efficient, and we see the seat as the next frontier,” said John Absmeier, Lear’s Chief Technology Officer. Unlike the traditional HVAC system, the innovation uses intelligent zonal thermal management to create personalized comfort, improving overall vehicle efficiency while drawing on Lear’s existing expertise to provide advanced solutions for comfort, wellness, safety and sound.