State launches new resource for manufacturers producing supplies for COVID-19 relief

A new online portal to identify the needs of Pennsylvania manufacturers that are, or could, provide products for the COVID-19 pandemic was launched over the weekend by the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

The Pennsylvania Manufacturing Call to Action Portal asks manufacturers which products they can supply, produce and provide, and what barriers they have to manufacturing those products.

Department officials said the information it receives from manufacturers will allow them to match manufacturers and distributors to fill specific needs in the supply chain, assist companies that have a gap in their workforce and identify companies that can pivot to fill demand for medical supplies.

“As we work to protect public health and safety and create a robust supply chain, we know that here are manufacturers across the commonwealth who are willing and able to help, said DCED Secretary Dennis Davin. “This portal will help facilitate the connections businesses need to get critical COVID-19 related products to market or retrofit their operations to begin production of those products.”

The portal is part of an effort by the state to identify ways to help health care providers treat and care for patients with the virus.

Late last month, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Critical Medical Supplies Procurement Portal, a tool for manufacturers and distributors to inform the state what supplies are available to health care providers to purchase.

“The commonwealth, and the nation, is facing an unprecedented and uncertain time, and as we work to flatten the curve we must also ramp up efforts to provide Pennsylvania’s health care system with the critical supplies it needs to treat individuals with COVID-19,” said Wolf. “By consolidating the efforts of various state agencies, we will streamline the procurement process and allow these supplies to get to our health care providers and medical professionals as quickly as possible.