Pa. ramps up effort to get businesses to help make medical equipment

An online portal created by state officials will help identify businesses that are building much-needed medical supplies and guide others who might be able to pivot their manufacturing toward creating those supplies, Gov. Tom Wolf said Monday.

The Manufacturing Call to Action Portal will streamline the process for manufacturers who are creating or want to create the medical equipment needed to match the need created by the coronavirus.

“We’ve had challenges in purchasing equipment because, really, there just isn’t enough supply to meet the demand,” Wolf said during a virtual news conference. “The portal will bring manufacturers together to work as a team to get the equipment we need.”

He said most states are looking to buy as many supplies — personal protective equipment, ventilators and other medical equipment — as possible, leaving all of it in short supply as cases of covid-19 climb.

A company need not be able to produce an entire ventilator, he said — just the parts will help.

“I’m not sure that any Pennsylvania company can produce the ventilators we need as rapidly as we need them, but many can produce components of ventilators, like plastic piping,” Wolf said.

Dennis Davin, secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development, said that shortage is where Pennsylvania manufacturers can help.

“We know that there are manufacturers across the commonwealth who are willing and able to help,” he said.

The portal will also help businesses who need employees to find skilled workers, he said.