Boeing COVID-19 relief efforts have local, global impact

Dreamlifter delivers vital protective equipment for health care workers, company produces thousands of 3-D printed face shields at S.C. campus and other facilities

The COVID-19 global pandemic has presented an unprecedented challenge for individuals, communities, nations and businesses worldwide. The Boeing Company has stepped up to support outbreak response efforts in a number of ways and the teammates of Boeing South Carolina have been a part of that support the entire way.

In late March, Boeing offered the use of our Dreamlifter, one of the largest cargo carriers in the world, 

Contact Info: 5400 Airframe Drive North Charleston, SC 29418 boeing.com

to help transport critical and urgently needed supplies to healthcare professionals. Lowcountry residents are certainly familiar with this unique airplane, an integral part of the 787 Dreamliner global supply chain which is normally used to ferry parts from suppliers around the world to our two final assembly sites. The first of those deliveries took place on April 26, as 1.5 million medical face masks were delivered from China to healthcare professionals in South Carolina. A second delivery of 1.5 million masks was received at Charleston International Airport on May 5, and more are planned.

Boeing delivered the first set of 3D-printed face shields to support healthcare professionals working to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) accepted the initial shipment of 2,300 face shields, which were delivered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Boeing is set to produce thousands more face shields per week, gradually increasing production output to meet the growing need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the United States. Distribution of additional face shields will be coordinated with HHS and FEMA based on immediate needs. Boeing is producing face shields with additive manufacturing machines here in South Carolina, and at multiple locations across the country:

• St. Louis, Missouri
• China Lake, El Segundo, and Huntington Beach, California
• Puget Sound region of Washington state
• Mesa, Arizona
• Huntsville, Alabama
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• San Antonio, Texas
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• Portland, Oregon

Solvay, a long-time Boeing supplier, provided the clear film for the face shields. Another supplier, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, donated the elastic used for the adjustable headband.

In addition to the Dreamlifter, Boeing has also offered use of its unique airlift capabilities to help transport critical and urgently needed supplies to healthcare professionals. The company completed its first of many COVID-19 transport mission using a 737-700 aircraft from its corporate fleet to bring personal protective equipment (PPE) from China to the United States. Working in partnership with FIRST® Robotics Founder Dean Kamen, the company transported 540,000 medical-grade face masks.

Kamen, who has a longstanding relationship with Boeing through FIRST Robotics, is also a founder of DEKA Research and Development Corp. He worked with DEKA to secure the face masks from manufacturers in China and turned to Boeing to facilitate their transport. Boeing sponsors FIRST Robotics teams across the country, including several here in the tri-county area. Boeing is also providing technical support to airlines in order to facilitate shipping personal protective equipment to health care workers around the world.

To date, the company has donated tens of thousands of units of PPE — including face masks, goggles, gloves, safety glasses and protective bodysuits — to support healthcare professionals battling COVID-19 in some of the hardest-hit locations in the United States.

The work against COVID-19 is also taking place much closer to home, in our own Boeing South Carolina facilities. While we monitored the impacts to the global supply chain of the 787 program from COVID-19 and as the top consideration of our teammates’ health and safety, we temporarily suspended 787 production operations on April 8. During the suspension of operations, Boeing production teammates received 10 days of pay, which is double the company’s standard policy.

While operations were suspended, our teams set about the task of a comprehensive re-evaluation of our business operations in order to maximize personal health and safety at work. Our Facilities, Health and Safety, and many other teams undertook preparations for a resumption of operations at both campuses. Enhanced cleaning, visual cues (floor markings and posted messages) to encourage physical distancing, and many other additions, including job-specific PPE and cleaning supplies for personal work areas, will help keep all teammates safe and healthy.

“Our commitment to the health and safety of our teammates, their families and our communities remains our top priority,” said Brad Zaback, Boeing South Carolina site leader and 787 vice president and general manager. “Even as we returned to normal production operations on May 3, we did so with all necessary safety measures in place to maximize the health and safety of our team.”