washington business
Manufacturing is the foundation of
Washington’s economy, and that has
never been so clear as during the COVID-19
pandemic. When the urgent need arose for
local, reliable supplies of personal protective
equipment, manufacturers stepped up to
retool and keep our communities healthy
during the crisis.
Independent research and development teams sprang into action, improvising designs and setting up production lines. From
hand sanitizer and gloves to face shields and N95 respirators, the makers of our state quickly adapted to meet the needs of an
uncertain time.
Ventec, a ventilator maker in Bothell, increased its workforce by 50% to meet international demand for its VOCSN ventilator,
which combines five respiratory functions — ventilation, oxygen, cough, suction and nebulization — in one machine.
We felt “the weight of the world on our shoulders,” Ventec CEO Chris Kiple said in mid-March, as they tried to meet huge
worldwide demand.
A few weeks later, Ventec partnered with General Motors to fill a $489.4 million federal government order for 30,000
ventilators. It was the nation’s first COVID-19 contract under the Defense Production Act.
It was one of many similar stories playing out across Washington.
In mid-March, the Washington Distillers Guild announced that several small, family-owned distilleries had banded together,
converting their operations to make thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer for nurses and doctors taking care of patients.
As awareness and concern about the pandemic began to rise, AWB saw
a need and opportunity to connect more of the state’s manufacturers with
the growing demand for personal protective equipment and other important
At A Glance
On Friday, March 20, as it became clear
that the coronavirus was spreading,
AWB sent out an urgent action alert
message to thousands of Washington
manufacturers.
The response was immediate. More
than 50 manufacturers quickly
responded to AWB’s call to action,
joining hundreds more manufacturers
who became part of a state Department
of Commerce database of new PPE and
coronavirus equipment suppliers.
Manufacturers stepped up, but
the needs are ongoing. AWB is
working with government officials
on how to engage with Washington
state manufacturers. And AWB’s
Government Affairs team is planning
for the 2021 legislative session to
ensure that lawmakers take steps to
make Washington a better place to
do business.
“You (AWB) not only let us know, you told us the list of
things people would be looking for. It was eye-opening:
this was a time of need and that we could help.”
- Philip Rozenski, vice president of public
affairs for Novolex.
supplies.
AWB sent a call to action to manufacturers on March 20, the week before
the governor implemented the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” lockdown.
It was a simple but important ask of manufacturers: could any of them
retool to help make masks, gowns, face shields and other gear?
“This is a unique time in our history. As manufacturers, you build our
future every day. What you build can save lives. I know that many of you are
eager to use your unique expertise and knowledge to help us get through this
COVID-19 crisis together,” AWB President Kris Johnson wrote.
The response was swift and heartening.
www.reboundandrecovery.org
20 association of washington business