Packaging companies in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region get together and manufacture a first batch of 5,000 protective visors for professionals exposed to the virus.
With the COVID-19 virus gaining momentum, shortage of protective equipment is a major challenge. Faced with this situation, packaging companies in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region organised themselves in just a few days’ time, under the impetus of Groupe Vacher, to provide their support in the fight against Covid-19. Objective: manufacture protective visors to help healthcare professionals but also all other staff in contact with the public (ambulance teams, cashiers, fire brigade, etc.).
Founded in 1966 in Saint-Etienne and second European die-maker, Groupe Vacher is specialised in cutting-dies and tooling, stamping and embossing tooling, metal engraving, moulds and 3D printing. Frédéric Vacher, CEO of the group and at the origin of this solidarity project is introduced to a Spanish die-maker (TAG) that had come up with plans for a protective visor destined to hospitals in its area. Cross-border mutual support gets underway as the Spanish company suggests submitting its plans to Groupe Vacher to launch production in France.
With the plans in hand, Groupe Vacher calls upon its company Vacher Marcel, expert in the manufacturing of cutting tooling for cardboard packaging.
The latter manufacturers the tooling and rapidly brings together its team of professionals to manufacture the end-product. The printing company Haubtmann in Andrezieux provides and cuts the PVC sheets, and another printing company Serge Marcoux in Saint Just Malmont manufactures the packaging, and finally the company Plast embal in Saint Just Malmont and the company GD industrie in Creil provide the elastics.
Result: the first 5,000 protective visors are produced in only 4 days and are currently available to supply healthcare professionals but also all other staff in contact with the public (ambulance teams, cashiers, fire brigade, etc.).
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Groupe Vacher wishes to make available the plans or tooling to companies in other regions who may wish to begin producing protective visors in order to establish similar networks throughout France.
