TSD / PGS Create Pandemic Public / Private Partnership

Troy MI

02 June, 2020

1:52 PM

Description

There was a need: a massive shortage of Personal Protective Equipment for front-line healthcare workers during an unprecedented pandemic. Troy-based Precision Global Systems received an urgent request from Henry Ford Health Systems, asking if they could manufacture desperately needed face shields. And the Troy School District's newly-purchased former ITT Tech building sat next door, empty and idle. PGS provides production manufacturing services of engines and powertrain components, specialized derust processing, high volume component washing, machining, Magnetic Particle Inspection and powertrain recertification programs for Automotive and Defense customers. PGS President, Richard Najarian thought there could be a way to help HFHS. He contacted the City of Troy for advice, who connected him to TSD Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Rick West to inquire about the building. "We had just started the work necessary to bring this building up to our standards in order to house our Troy College & Career High School and Adult Education programs, so it was sitting there vacant," said West. But "…because of the pandemic, TSD was unable to continue construction," added TSD Director of Maintenance & Operations Rob Carson. PGS asked for help, and the district responded, wanting to be part of a solution. It was a perfect space for PGS to set up temporary shop. Because Troy Schools acted quickly, PGS was able to pivot and began manufacturing face shields within a week. "We started producing 1,000, then 3,000 industry-grade face shields per day," said PGS President Richard Najarian. "And we kept 75 people—both permanent employees and temporary workers—employed and paid." When all was said and done, PGS manufactured 500,000 shields—Henry Ford purchased 100,000, City of Troy and Troy School District received 1,000 each at no cost. The face shields continue to be sold to other essential industry manufacturers so people are protected and can continue to work safely during the crisis," continued Najarian. "It was a right place, right time situation," concluded West. "We had the space, they had the need, everybody won." PGS' manufacturing efforts have been re-located to one of the currently unused gymnasiums at Athens High School, where they will continue assembling the face-shields and now also PPE-grade gowns until June 30. Their mission is to support healthcare and essential workers, and they are prepared to ramp up production should a new wave of the virus resurfaces. "Thanks to the Troy School District and those employees that supported our project, we were able to actually help save lives during the COVID-19 Pandemic. We can look back at this moment and be proud that we made a difference in our community," said Najarian. "We were pleased that we could combine our efforts, and happy TSD could contribute and help PGS do this very important work in a time of crisis," said TSD Superintendent Dr. Rich Machesky. For more information, or to purchase PPE from PGS, visit www.unitage.net. # # # Photos courtesy of the Troy School District: Face shield on mannequin Face shield in action Face shield and PPE gown manufacturing operations in Athens High School gymnasium