COVID-19 has upended our collective worlds at home, work and everywhere in between. Even as global economies have been shut down, we are heartened how individuals and companies are stepping up to answer the call to contribute in some positive way.
We’ve seen great stories about diesel power in action, from fueling the majority of commercial trucks bringing essential supplies to hospitals and grocery stores to how 21,000 hp from the newest generation Caterpillar Tier 4 engines in workboats at McAllister Towing guided the USNS Comfort hospital ship into New York Harbor.
This week’s edition is the first installment recognizing members of the Diesel Technology Forum who are stepping up and using their manufacturing, technology, and philanthropy to do great things in their communities and for others.
Caterpillar Foundation contributed $8.5 million in direct aid to communities, including underserved populations, who are affected by the virus. The investment is intended to have a global impact supporting the world’s most pressing needs by partnering with United Nations Foundation and the World Health Organization Solidarity Response Fund. Caterpillar is providing other forms of relief and financial assistance to its customers and dealers around the world.
AGCO Corporation’s Massey Ferguson is using 3D printing technology to manufacture face shields.
Bosch has developed a laboratory machine for rapid testing of COVID-19 virus samples.
CNH Industrial worked with other top Italian brands to bring ventilators and other medical equipment to hard hit Italy.
Cummins announced a partnership with DuPont to use Nanofilter material from fuel and air filters into N95 masks using Cummins’ NanoNet® and NanoForce® Media technology, which uses DuPont’s Hybrid Membrane Technology (HMT) typically found in air, fuel and lube filtration products used in heavy-duty diesel engines.
Daimler is using 3D printers to produce medical equipment, as well as medical device components.
FCA is manufacturing medical masks and supporting Feed the Children efforts in several states and communities, in addition to providing financial relief for customers.
General Motors converted – in just 7 days – a Warren, MI facility to produce protective masks and this week began manufacturing ventilators, in addition to other contributions of protective equipment and financial relief for customers.
John Deere machines helped build two new hospitals in two weeks in Wuhan China, sight of the initial outbreak of COVID-19. Deere engineers have created a custom clip that allows average baseball hats to be affixed with a protective face shield, in addition to donating protective eyewear to first responders.
Johnson Matthey pulled two newly-installed cryogenic tanks from a customer site and put them into service providing badly needed supplemental oxygen for a hospital.
Volvo Group is manufacturing long arm aprons and face shields using 3D printers for healthcare workers.