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Electronics manufacturer ControlTek, Inc. announced its Vancouver, Washington manufacturing facility will remain open while implementing additional safety measures to maintain production support for critical manufacturing sectors including medical and military.
ControlTek has been designated a critical supplier of medical and aerospace & defense (ASD) products by the Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division (EMD). The company has been working closely with its medical customers to assist with supply chain challenges and ramp up production of critical care devices. According to the IPC, as many as 69% of manufacturers have experienced or expect to experience delays due to the virus.
“Right now, our main focus is on supporting our customers and employees, as well as keeping a close eye on the supply chain so we are ready and able to quickly address any disruptions that as a result of COVID-19 related closures and delays,” says Sean Neill, VP of Operations.
In addition to assisting current customers, ControlTek is also offering help for EMS companies needing assistance during the crisis, whether they need help bringing on additional capacity to meet urgent demand for medical products or finding new sourcing solutions for hard to find components.
“When this began, it caused supply chain delays across Asia that exacerbated earlier challenges resulting from last year’s tariffs,” says Neill. “That’s the bad news. The good news is that we’ve spent much of last year working to diversify our supply chain so that we are better prepared to meet these challenges head-on.”
To maintain the safety of staff during operation, ControlTek has taken proactive measures to protect customers and staff and to limit the impact of business disruption. This includes employee training, remote working expansion, and closing the facility to outside visitors. The manufacturing floor has also been updated to provide greater social distancing, as well as staggering breaks and shifts to decrease contact between staff.
“Our employees are doing an amazing job and we are incredibly grateful for their contribution,” says ControlTek Principal Stacey Smith. “Their work to build these products that directly support the COVID-19 relief effort are nothing short of Herculean, and they do it all while caring for their own families in an uncertain time.”
ControlTek is a family-owned and operated Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). The company provides a full range of custom electronics design and manufacturing services for the Defense, Military, Aerospace and Aviation industries.
