washington business
timeline of covid-19 and manufacturing
response
feb. 29
Public Health – Seattle and King County confirmed the first
coronavirus-related death in Washington, which also was the first
in the United States.
march 11
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus
outbreak a pandemic.
march 19
The Washington Distillers Guild announced that several small,
family-owned distilleries have banded together and converted
their operations to make thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer
for nurses and doctors taking care of patients.
More than 50 manufacturers from across the state and in a
variety of industries raised their hands within moments of that
Friday email. Hundreds more stepped up in the weeks that
followed.
creativity and energy
Engineers at the Cambria Corporation in Seattle, which usually
makes environmental and telecom equipment. They set to work
throughout the weekend on a variety of designs.
“Basically, they are taking it as a war response,” said President
Douglas M. Johnson. Within days they had designs in hand for
both a face mask and for a powered air-purifying respirator,
and continued coming up with designs for different products as
needs evolved.
Shields Bag in Yakima, operated by the global firm Novolex, said
AWB’s email action alert was their first notice of a major need and
opportunity, giving the firm a two- or three-week head start.
“You not only let us know, you told us the list of things people
would be looking for,” said Philip Rozenski, vice president of
public affairs for Novolex. “It was eye-opening: this was a time
of need and that we could help.”
By May, Novolex’s nearly 1,000 employees in Yakima had
ramped up to produce a million isolation gowns per week using
equipment that had been making bags for tortillas and other food
products. They also produce face shields on tools that until the
pandemic had been making bakery goods containers and plastic
utensils for sports stadiums.
At Fluke in the Everett area, leaders passed AWB’s action alert
to the operations team. They looked over the list of materials
needed and quickly decided that Fluke was best suited to make
face shields. They brainstormed ways to cut new product
production time.
march 20
AWB sends an urgent Action Alert to manufacturers, writing:
“This is a unique time in our history. As manufacturers, you build
our future every day. What you build can save lives.”
march 23
Gov. Jay Inslee announces his “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order.
april 1
AWB President Kris Johnson joins Gov. Jay Inslee in a press
conference to recognize and urge manufacturers to join the PPE
production effort.
may 14
AWB urges the governor to include manufacturing in phase one of
his “Safe Start” reopening plan (which Inslee does on May 29).
may 26
AWB launches the Rebound and Recovery website, created in less
than three weeks. It offers a portal to local PPE as well as a tool kit
for businesses to quickly and safely reopen.
“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
summer 2020
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