Toyota’s brightest and most innovative and creative minds pivoted on a dime, repurposing 3-D printers, cutting edge technology and advanced logistics for a new customer and purpose – America’s healthcare workers on the front lines fighting the deadly virus.
Toyota’s Manufacturing Projects Innovation Center partnered with R&D to develop an expedited process for manufacturing, boxing and shipping plastic face shields for healthcare workers. Toyota facilities in Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan and Texas produced and distributed 500,000 plastic face shields to approximately 78 healthcare organizations in 13 states by the end of June 2020.
“It shows what we can do when we all work together,” says Tim Buschur, senior engineering manager.
In a similar spirit of allyship and inclusion, TMNA shared its best practices with companies that produce ventilators and respirators, among others, helping to speed up the manufacturing of medical supplies and equipment, as well as support supply chains and operations.
