This story is part of AIN's continuing coverage of the impact of the coronavirus on aviation.
The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) has joined the growing array of aerospace companies assisting in Covid-19 relief efforts, helping to launch a platform designed to connect ventilator companies with component suppliers. Developed with the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), Google, and other industry alliances and partners, the VentConnect portal is designed to help quickly scale ventilator production and distribution, AIA said.
The portal comes as numerous aviation manufacturers and other businesses have turned their attention to ventilator, respirator, and other medical supply production and/or distribution.
“Unprecedented challenges offer unique opportunities to think outside the box, to harness ingenuity and innovation for the greater good, and this partnership is a prime example. Working hand-in-hand, across multiple dynamic industries will not only help meet the increased demand for ventilators, it can also serve as a model for strategic collaboration in the future,” said AIA president and CEO Eric Fanning.
Scott Whitaker, AdvaMed president and CEO, added the medical community has added shifts, hired workers, and increased production lines to increase capacity tenfold. “But to keep producing these life-saving devices, our member companies need a steady stream of key components from beyond the normal supply chain, and that’s where this new online platform developed with the AIA and Google will be of tremendous value.”
Ventilator manufacturers can sign up on the platform and identify parts and components in short supply. Suppliers can complete an application listing their capacity and materials. While designed to support the immediate need for ventilators and associated devices, AIA said the platform may be used to address challenges surrounding ventilator logistics, distribution, or other needs.
