Swagelok, a leading solutions provider of fluid system products, assemblies, and related services, is donating up to 20,000 N95 respirator masks to local emergency medical services (EMS) and hospital systems in Ohio and Pennsylvania to support the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). With its global headquarters located in Solon, Ohio, Swagelok has multiple facilities throughout Northeast Ohio and one facility in Koppel, Pennsylvania.
The company had previously purchased the masks in support of its operations in Changshu, China, which was subject to a government-mandated shutdown in January as a precaution to slow the spread of the virus. The facility has since reopened and no longer needs the personal protective equipment (PPE).
“When we discovered we had a surplus of masks, particularly N95 masks, we knew immediately that they could be better used by the individuals fighting the virus on the front lines,” said Ward Dumm, vice president of operations, Swagelok Company. “We are incredibly grateful to all our first responders and healthcare workers who are caring for those affected by COVID-19.”
The masks are being donated to the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, UPMC Jameson (PA), and the EMS teams in the cities where Swagelok has facilities in Ohio and Pennsylvania. An allotment is also being delivered to other healthcare facilities through Governor Mike DeWine’s call for critical PPE donations.
N95 respirator masks are part of Swagelok’s standard PPE for a very limited number of operations, and the company continues to make them available as required for its associates. Swagelok serves several industries defined as critical infrastructure by the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and remains operational in Ohio and Pennsylvania in accordance to state orders.
