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GM will build ventilators in Indiana, surgical masks in Warren

Updated Mar 27, 2020; Posted Mar 27, 2020

Brad Page readies the clean room Wednesday, March 25, 2020, as General Motors ramps up to begin manufacturing FDA cleared Level 1 surgical masks at its Warren, Michigan manufacturing facility. Production will begin as early as next week and ramp up to 50,000 masks per day, with the potential to increase to 100,000 per day. (Photo by John F. Martin for General Motors)

By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com

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General Motors says it will build critical care ventilators at its Kokomo, Indiana, manufacturing plant and Level 1 surgical masks at its plant in Warren.

GM and Ventec Life Systems made the announcement about VOCSN critical care ventilators, and GM said the equipment will be ready to ship as soon as next month. The effort at Kokomo is in addition to Ventec also ramping up production at its manufacturing facility in Bothell, Washington.

The two companies had announced last week that they were partnering to make ventilators during the COVID-19 emergency.

Friday’s announcement came soon after President Donald Trump in a Twitter message said, “General Motors MUST immediately open their stupidly abandoned Lordstown plant in Ohio, or some other plant, and START MAKING VENTILATORS, NOW!!!!!! FORD, GET GOING ON VENTILATORS, FAST!!!!!!”

There is a global backorder of critical care ventilators capable of supporting patients fighting COVID-19.

GM said in a news release that it will also begin manufacturing FDA-cleared Level 1 surgical masks at its Warren manufacturing facility with production starting next week.

Within two weeks, production is expected to be up to 50,000 masks per day, with the potential to increase to 100,000 per day, the company said.

“This employee-led initiative was created, planned and approved in about 48 hours and involves GM’s traditional supply base as well as new partnerships specific to the medical device industry,” GM said in its news release about the Warren production. “GM will be collaborating with governments and local suppliers to distribute the masks.”

The Warren plant, like other GM facilities in Michigan, has closed because of the COVID-19 emergency.

GM partners with medical company to make ventilators during coronavirus pandemic

Trump bashes General Motors and its CEO, tells Ford to ‘get going on ventilators fast’ 

-Justin Thyme-Two cents worth of opinion. Yes It can be done in America. But if 'Theophile' gets COVID19 and requires a ventilator, they have the option to refuse it if any components were made by General Motors or Ford. Because it wouldn't meet Theophile's strict standards.😃