Ford Australia aims high with face shields

FORD Australia has announced that it will be producing and donating up to 100,000 plastic face shields to healthcare workers on the frontline of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Prototype testing was carried out at five different Victorian hospitals in recent weeks with as many as 50,000 examples of the finalised design already having been produced and ready for distribution.

Ford Australia and New Zealand president and CEO Kay Hart said the company was making good on its promise to help and that production would soon be ramping up.

“Producing face shields is certainly something new for us, but our innovation team and engineers were able to test a number of different designs in hospitals and with their input we have been able to get the face shield right for the people who will be wearing them,” she said.

“With testing of the prototype shield now complete, we’re quickly ramping up production and working to dispatch the shields to medical workers and other facilities that need them.

“It’s great that our team has been able to quickly pivot to put their skills towards producing the face shield while also continuing their global work designing and engineering pick-up trucks and SUVs.”

The shields themselves are comprised of a clear plastic screen with foam padding for the forehead and an elastic strap that fits around the wearer’s head.

The vast majority of production has occurred at Ford’s Broadmeadows facilities with almost all of the required materials sourced from local suppliers.

According to Ford, further discussions have now started with the Victorian government as to the ongoing supply needs given the global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“While most of us aren’t out there on the frontlines, our team here in Australia is proud to make a contribution as we all work together to get through these really tough times,” Ms Hart said.

Other examples of Ford’s local coronavirus fighting measures include a free vehicle servicing pick-up and drop off service with contactless payment methods and offering its 2^nd Car program to frontline healthcare workers, providing access to Ford vehicles free of charge for a period of up to four weeks.