By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
Marquardt Switches of Cazenovia is utilizing its toolroom and machining capabilities in the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19).
“In response to the worldwide shortage for medical equipment, we discovered that we can use our [capabilities] to quickly provide components for medical machinery,” said Kirk Wardell, general manager of Marquardt Cazenovia. “We are looking at these opportunities and asking, ‘what else can we do?’ We are fortunate to operate in a close-knit community where everyone is stepping up to help, and it’s incredibly inspiring. We are all in this together, and Marquardt is eager to contribute.”
On April 3, the company — which has been designated as an “essential business” under the “New York State on PAUSE” Executive Order — announced that it will be supplying Ford Motor Company with on/off switches for the automaker’s life-saving ventilators.
Ford plans to produce 50,000 ventilators in 100 days through a partnership with GE Healthcare.
The automotive manufacturer is scheduled to begin assembling the machines at its manufacturing plant in Michigan by the week of April 20. Ford’s goal is to produce 50,000 medical devices by July 4.
“Ford reached out to its switch suppliers to see who had the most readily available technical solution for the on/off switches,” said Alexandra Kogut, marketing and communications manager for Marquardt USA. “Marquardt worked very diligently to ensure it could supply the automaker’s demand and ultimately, won the business.”
The company is also in the process of developing other advanced interior vehicle switches for the automaker.
On March 31, Marquardt also announced that it plans to supply and donate hose connectors for personal protection equipment (PPE) to a local CNY hospital.
The PPE suits will provide safe air to medical workers on the front lines of the pandemic.
Within 24 hours of receiving the first drawings, Marquardt had produced a connector, according to the company.
“[This collaboration] started with our employees,” said Kogut. “It’s in our nature to want to help, and that nature has been built into our Marquardt culture. A Marquardt employee knew someone at a local hospital and brought the connection forward. From there, we continued to reach out to multiple hospitals and discovered the opportunity to provide the hose connectors for the medical staff’s personal protective equipment. We are still looking into other opportunities that are looking bright.”
Hospitals and healthcare providers in need of supplies that could potentially be provided by Marquardt should send inquiries to Wardell at [email protected].
Marquardt manufactures electro-mechanical switches, controls, and wireless communications systems for major industries such as automotive, off-road, truck and power tool.
The company’s “standard switch” division is primarily responsible for supplying switches and controls for life-saving medical equipment, including various medical devices, compressors, generators, radios and utility appliances.
Marquardt Cazenovia employs nearly 400 people and features a 115,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility. The location is responsible for product design and assembly and houses all North American business operations.
For more information about Marquardt Switches, visit us.marquardt.com .
To learn more about the local response to COVID-19, visit sites.google.com/view/cazcovidresponse/home.
