Michigan Companies Step Up to Help During COVID-19

03/30/20

Michigan companies are stepping up to help support the fight against COVID-19 with medical supplies, hand sanitizer and more.

At APICS Greater Detroit we support local supply chain professionals with the education and information they need to be successful in today’s ever changing world.

In the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic we might have been alone, but now more than ever we can work together to overcome this.

Thanks to the companies below for their efforts to help fight against COVID-19!

Is your company shifting to help? We’d love to hear and share your story. Email us at media@apicsdet.org.

The following companies are making changes to support the COVID-19 efforts.

Shifting from alcohol to hand sanitizer. According to MetroTimes, Michigan companies like Ann Arbor Distilling Co., Griffin Claw, and Bier Distillery have all starting offering bottles of hand sanitizer for free to their customers. “We just saw the impact of COVID-19 and everyone running out of sanitizer. We operate a distillery, so we got creative and were able to make our own,” Griffin Claw Marketing Director Christopher Lasher said in a statement. “It started as a way to sanitize our own taproom and brewery without stressing the public supply. We also offered bottles for all of our guests to use and it really caught on.”
Automakers to help make ventilators. GM has joined in to help solve the nation’s shortage of ventilators, which are critically needed to treat COVID-19. Last Friday, GM made the following statement, “GM and Ventec Life Systems, in cooperation with StopTheSpread.org, the nation’s coordinated private sector response to the COVID-19, are collaborating to enable Ventec to increase production of its respiratory care products to support the growing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Ventec will leverage GM’s logistics, purchasing and manufacturing expertise to build more of their critically important ventilators.” Ford Motor Co. also has said it is researching the feasibility of building ventilators and other devices following discussions with the U.S. and U.K. governments.
Pharmacies loan space for testing. On March 13, Walmart, Target, and pharmacy giants Walgreens and CVS Health announced they will play a central role in the U.S. government’s plan to make COVID-19 tests accessible across the country as the outbreak of the illness worsens. Walmart, which operates some 4,600 stores in the United States, will make parts of some of its parking lots available for drive-through testing. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said his company would add more of its parking lots as the availability of the test grows. Target, which has 1,800 stores, will do the same. “Normally you could view us as competitors,” Target CEO Brian Cornell said during the press conference, “but today we are focused on a common competitor,” he added in reference to the coronavirus. CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens, which operate about 10,000 locations across the U.S. will also take part.

Thanks again to the companies above for their efforts to help fight against COVID-19!

Share how your company is helping by emailing us at media@apicsdet.org.

APICS Greater Detroit is closely monitoring the outbreak situation for COVID-19 and will continue to adhere to relevant guidance from government and health authorities regarding the proper management of this situation to help ensure everyone’s safety.

The leaders of the APICS Greater Detroit are committed to the safety and well-being of our members, students and guests. We will continue to focus on bringing you relevant information to help you successfully manage your supply chains.