Mask Milestone: 3M to keep delivering masks in Canada
Toronto, Ontario — Canada will continue to receive face N95 masks from 3M, despite previous efforts by the White House to stop the masks headed north-of-the-border. According to a 3M press release, the deal will allow 3M to keep “sending U.S.-produced respirators to Canada and Latin America, where 3M is the primary source of supply.” […]
Seeking Substitutes: Industry should seek alternative respiratory PPE amid COVID-19
Toronto, Ontario — As 3M ramps up its production to nearly 100 million N95 respirators per month to serve medical workers on the front lines of the crisis, the company is suggesting bodyshops seek alternative masks. As masks for the automotive aftermarket dwindle, it is recommended that collision repairers seek alternative respirators. According to a […]
Defensive Request: Trump asks 3M to stop selling N95 masks to Canada
St. Paul, Minnesota — United States President Donald Trump has asked 3M to stop exporting the N95 respirators it manufacturers within American borders, 3M said in a press release. On April 3, 3M issued a statement saying that U.S. administration requested 3M cease selling its N95 respirators to the Canadian and Latin American markets as […]
Ready to Retool: Ontario’s $50m fund will support manufacturing of medical supplies, PPE
Toronto, Ontario — On Wednesday, Ontario’s provincial government launched the Ontario Together Fund to encourage the province’s manufacturers to retool their operations for the current crisis. The $50 million fund will “help businesses provide innovative solutions or retool their operations in order to manufacture essential medical supplies and equipment, including gowns, coveralls, masks, face shields, […]
Supplier Sanitizer: Magna seeking partner to test ‘life-saving’ mask sanitizer
Toronto, Ontario — Canadian automotive supplier Magna International is seeking a partner to validate that its ozone sanitizing device is capable of killing coronavirus. The Aurora, Ont.-based company has developed a Puro ozone sanitizing device that could be capable of killing coronavirus and sanitizing medical equipment. Puro operates on proprietary software developed by Magna and […]
Manufacturing Masks: Magna, Linamar and Martinrea to produce 10,000 ventilators for Ontario
Toronto, Ontario — Three of Canada’s largest automotive suppliers have agreed to assist in the producion of much-needed ventilators during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Magna International Inc., Linamar Corp., Martinrea International, the government of Ontario and the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association met last week and agreed that the trio of suppliers will focus their efforts […]
Coronavirus Closures Extended: Canadian automakers extend plant closures
Toronto, Ontario — Automakers Honda, Toyota and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles are extending plant closures by a week amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Honda Canada will extend the shutdown of its Canadian site in Alliston, Ont., as well as its four vehicle assembly plants in the United States. The company released a statement Thursday confirming it would […]
Combatting COVID-19: $50m in funding available to automotive suppliers
Hamilton, Ontario — Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGEN), the organization leading Canada’s Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster, is investing $50 million to support companies as they prepare to produce critically needed technologies and medical products to aid in the fight against COVID-19. NGen’s program will fund projects that involve accelerated production of products in short supply, including […]
Certified Support: I-CAR ‘has your back’ during outbreak with extended bodyshop credential renewals
Toronto, Ontario — I-CAR is offering support to bodyshops amid the COVID-19 pandemic by issuing credentialing renewal extensions for those pending upcoming renewal for Gold Class, Platinum or Welding certifications. “Should you or your business have an upcoming renewal for Gold Class, Platinum or Welding and will be unable to complete successful renewal for any […]
One Million Masks: Industry calls on businesses to provide face masks for medical staff
Toronto, Ontario — Aftermarket organizations from coast to coast are calling on Canada’s automotive industry to step up and provide support by donating face masks to those on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis. On Tuesday morning the APMA morning launched what it calls the One Million Mask Challenge. It’s asking its members—of which […]
