MEP National Network Aids in Louisiana Manufacturer PPE Production
Company Profile
Crown Protection came to fruition as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic at the start of 2020. With the realization face shield manufacturing was few and far between in Louisiana, the Crown Protection face shield stemmed from the design and development work of Scale Workspace in New Orleans, Louisiana. Scale Workspace is a creative coworking community that provides product-oriented companies with a platform for success offering members shared office space, advanced manufacturing equipment and tools, and a network of talent that fosters creativity and productivity. As a result of the innovation that took place at the Scale Workspace, the Crown Protection Face Shield is now available for use by health care personnel as personal protective equipment (PPE), as authorized under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The full coverage face shields help extend the life of N95 and surgical face masks and defend from airborne droplets.
Situation
In the thick of production for their much-needed product during the increasingly escalating pandemic, Co-Founder Grant Boucher reached out to New Orleans local MEPOL Project Manager, Dan Stumper, after being referred to MEPOL. The start-up company was struggling to meet the ANSI Z87.1 testing requirements for their newly developed full coverage face shields.
Solution
Knowing he had the MEP Network behind him as a nationwide source of experts during this critical time, Stumper started a supplier sourcing project for Crown Protection which consisted of reaching out and working within and outside of the MEP Network to get answers for Boucher’s work in PPE. By initiating the sourcing strategy project and with the MEP National Network, Stumper was able to understand face shield certification requirements, research potential suppliers within the U.S., identify qualified suppliers, and communicate recommendations to bridge the sourcing gap for the essential company.
- Company now offers large quantity orders
- Shipping nationwide is now offered
- Materials are created using USA made materials
- Increased Sales
- Increased Jobs
“From the first call requesting face shields we knew this project had to run at an incredibly fast pace to have a meaningful impact. Dan and MEPOL provided valuable support in navigating product testing and understanding what other manufacturers were doing across the state.”
—Grant Boucher, Co-Founder
Results
As a result, Stumper was able to identify and develop multiple sources to complete the testing requirements. The company is now able to offer large quantity orders with nationwide shipping while manufacturing 75,000 face shields per week using USA made materials.
Increased/retained sales
Increased/retained jobs
New investments