Michelin’s innovative masks and visors venture

There’s no denying it. Since the start of the pandemic, there’s been a scramble for essential supplies. Civilians have turned out in numbers, taking refuge in the air conditioned supermarkets, clawing and gauging their way to the last toilet roll in aisle 3 (if you’ve got a bidet, good for you).

It might not quite be the end of the world, but it looks like people are shopping for their lives, filling what could only possibly be bomb shelters in backyards with everything from rice krispies candy bars to He-Man action figures.

Time for action

All jokes aside, with the cloud of uncertainty looming, we all need to stick together and find a way to get through. And Michelin’s innovative masks and visors venture has certainly been a welcome response.

Summoning its expertise in research, materials, manufacturing and scientific intelligence, Michelin has delivered several variations of masks in bulk and within tight timeframes.

It has increased the number of masks donated to health-care workers and equipped its own employees as part of the response to the pandemic.

Michelin launches surgical mask production in 10 European plants

The tire juggernaut has now pledged 400,000 category 1 surgical masks weekly, either in its own workshops or in collaboration with partners or subcontractors.

Already, ten sites in Europe have been selected to extend capacity following similar initiatives in North America.

Michelin joins other companies in large-scale rollout of reusable mask

In addition to capacity-building efforts, Michelin has also lined up a prototype batch of 5000 OCOV® FMP1 or FMP2 masks, which can be reused up to 100 times thanks to 5 washable, interchangeable filters.

They aim to produce more than 5 million masks by the end of june.

Not just masks, but visors too.

The multinational giant has also responded to the request of several French hospitals with sterilisable polycarbonate visors for health workers. As early as mid-April, the Group will be managing the outsourced production of 10,000 visors.

What do you think of Michelin’s innovative masks and visors venture? They’re joining some other companies in the fight against COVID-19. Have you seen Peugeot’s valet test drive and service program? Or how about Al Ghandi’s awesome stay at home service?