Oro-Medonte’s Molded Precision Components (MPC) took a leap of faith back in March, transitioning their business from using precision instruments and 3D printing to make automotive components, to making personal protection equipment (PPE) for frontline workers fighting to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Just 65 days after launching the project, MPC produced their 1 millionth face shield headband. By the end of June, MPC will be helping to produce over 450,000 PPE shields and other PPE per day.
MPC marketing coordinator Michael Conn says the company is acquiring more tooling in the coming days as they prepare to ramp up production even further.
“Everyone is working their butt off here. Everyone is working as if they are trying to keep the company alive and have a benefit to the outcome,” Conn said, noting the company now has 130 staff members, up from the 55 people who were employed at the company before the pandemic.
One of the biggest challenges for MPC during their transition into making PPE, is the rapid growth of the company. MPC is hiring new employees every week, Conn said.
“We’ve had to bring in work trailers and office trailers because we don’t have enough space for all the people we’ve brought in to work on this project,” Conn said.
For now, all the PPE produced at MPC will be sent to the provincial and federal government, where they can distribute them to the medical professionals who need them most.
However, in the next month or so, MPC is hoping to fulfill multiple requests from local businesses and individuals. Not only are community members reaching out to MPC to inquire about PPE, but they are also receiving lots of love and support.
“It’s been incredible. We’ve received an insane outreach of compliments from the community. Everyone is very thankful for what we are doing,” Conn said.
The company that was once unsure if they could survive the pandemic, now believes they will come out even stronger than they were before.
“We’ve definitely taken the worst situation and made it into an opportunity. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have survived,” Conn explained.
The pandemic has offered a unique learning experience for MPC, and their story has a motivational take away that other local businesses can learn from.
“I think what matters most is how you deal with adversity and that’s the main lesson for us that we’ve taken from this,” Conn said.
“I think after this, we are looking to get into more medical supplies down the road,” Conn explained.
“We are looking at this as a long-term solution to the lack of PPE in Canada. It could be something we do for the foreseeable future - even past COVID.”
