(Cobourg, ON) April 13, 2020 – An informal network of local manufacturers, makers and volunteers have self-organized a local supply chain for 3D-printing, rapid prototyping and production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)—specifically face shields. As part of a community-wide response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group is ramping up production to quickly address shortages of supplies for hospitals and long-term care facilities, emergency responders and essential services across Northumberland. 

“This is about community and the passion we all have to use advanced technology and innovation to drive production of personal protective equipment for front-line workers,” said Colin Slade, retired Canadian Coast Guard Captain and Quality Assurance lead. “With all of the support we have received from volunteers, industry and partners, we are able to make a real difference under extremely challenging circumstances. Thank you to everyone who has and will continue to support us in this effort. We know we can count on you.” 

Participating Organizations and Individuals: 

The list of participants is growing daily as the community leans in. To date, the following individuals and organizations have re-organized, re-tooled or re-purposed operations or donated their time, expertise and energy to support the objectives of the producer alliance (in alphabetical order below). 

Thank you to all partners and warriors for your passion and dedication to this effort:

• Argentum Electronics
• Anonymous contributors (5)
• Belden
• Catherine Gissing
• Canadian Wear Technologies
• Cobourg Police Service
• Colin and Helen Slade
• Custom Plastics International
• Durham College and Network of printers
• Jane and Todd Ferguson
• Jeremy Fowlie
• Microfactory Co-operative at the Venture13 MakerLab
• Millard Towers
• Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC)
• Northumberland Hills Hospital
• Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
• Northumberland Makers
• Northumberland Manufacturers Association
• Orono Design
• Sabic Innovative Plastics Canada Inc.
• Team Eagle Ltd.
• Watershed Magazine
• Venture13/Town of Cobourg 

Many others are joining the effort daily and will be added as the initiative expands.

If you have 3D-printing, rapid prototyping/manufacturing capacity or other production capabilities and/or can donate materials and supplies and would like to join our team, please contact us. 

Members of the community have asked for ways they may participate and support the effort. In response, a GoFundMe campaign has been created to support the production. Unused funds will support local hospital foundations through Northumberland (Cobourg and Campbellford). 

You can also contact us for media enquires but please note that we will respond as quickly as possible, while maintaining our primary focus on production and distribution of PPE/face shields. 

For more information, visit us online at Northumberland.io