#strongertogether in the fight against COVID-19: thyssenkrupp sites demonstrate solidarity in times of Corona

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The rapid development of the Corona pandemic is leading to supply bottlenecks in many places. Appropriate protective clothing for medical personnel, volunteers or risk groups is in short supply worldwide. To help these everyday heroes, aid initiatives are being set up around the world - as well as at thyssenkrupp.

With extraordinary commitment, thyssenkrupp employees have expressed their solidarity in recent months. Within a very short time they have found creative solutions to the challenges of the Corona crisis. Be it through the donation of protective clothing from our own inventory, the conversion of 3D printing systems to the production of protective masks or the immense commitment in the plants, in service or assembly. In times of Corona, our colleagues prove that #strongertogether at thyssenkrupp is more than just a buzzword.

We say THANK YOU for standing together and the solidarity in difficult times. In the coming weeks we will be presenting our very own heroes and showing their commitment in the COVID 19 pandemic.

Germany:

Automotive Technology uses 3D printing capacities to produce protective mask mounts according to open source instructions

The thyssenkrupp steering plant in Mülheim an der Ruhr is making its modern 3D printing facilities available for the fight against the Corona pandemic. In the upcoming weeks the colleagues will be printing protective mask holders to protect skilled personnel and volunteers.  In doing so, they are responding to the call for every company and private owner of a high-quality 3D printing facility to make a contribution to equipping hospital staff with respiratory masks. Open source 3D printing data for respirators is currently being made available worldwide through open source sources.

The 3D printing center in Mülheim an der Ruhr of thyssenkrupp Automotive Technology uses its printing facilities for corona control and produces breathing masks according to open source production plans.

thyssenkrupp Presta in Chemnitz also provides access to its 3D printing capacities. The brand blue 3D design was provided by colleagues from the Camshafts business unit. Production has already started on site. The finished protective mask mounts will be distributed locally to volunteers and medical personnel.

The colleagues from Springs & Stabilizers are also taking part in the help campaign. In Hagen, the production of the holders has already started. The first hundred protective mask holders will be delivered to the fire department in Hagen.

The automotive colleagues will receive support from thyssenkrupp Plant Technology in Neubeckum. The colleagues are supporting a local initiative on site and are printing 80 urgently needed protective mask holders.

30,000 disposable gloves for the CORONA crisis team in Bremen

ATLAS ELEKTRONIK donated over 30,000 disposable gloves to the “CORONA crisis team” in Bremen. The city had previously asked for help with protective equipment and disinfectants to protect the many helpers during their work.

Plant Technology donates masks from its own stock to health authorities and hospitals

Plant Technology donated 50,000 surgical masks and other protective clothing from its own stocks to health authorities and hospitals in NRW. “We are pleased to use this donation to help where it is particularly needed. Our special thanks go to all those who are helping to ensure healthcare in the state in these times in hospitals, doctors’ practices, nursing homes and other facilities,” said Michael Höllermann, head of human resources at thyssenkrupp Plant Technology, explaining the initiative.

Plant Technology donates surgical masks and protective clothing for the DRK and medical facilities in Beckum

The business unit Cement Technology donates 24,000 surgical fleece face masks, 800 protective suits, 800 gloves and 400 shoe covers from its own stocks. The urgently needed protective material will be supplied to the German Red Cross and local medical facilities in Beckum. Due to the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, protective masks and clothing have become scarce in many places. Pablo Hofelich, CEO of the Cement Technology business unit: “We are pleased to make this donation to help where it is particularly needed. We would like to express our special thanks to all those who, during these times, are working hard in hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, nursing homes and other institutions to ensure the provision of health care in the country and thus save lives”.

Italy

The thyssenkrupp stainless steel plant Acciai Speciali Terni (AST) in Italy donated 1,000 respirators to the Santa Maria Hospital. But that’s not all. AST employees were particularly generous and donated the prize money they won. The team had won the prize last year in an internal thyssenkrupp competition for its exemplary occupational safety measures and safety mentality. Thanks to their helpfulness, they provided the Santa Maria Hospital in Terni not only with protective masks and clothing but also with a portable ultrasound machine.

Romania

30,000 Euro for Corona tests at the local hospital

China

Moving from the administration to the production

The corona crisis has brought colleagues in the steering plant in China even closer together. During the crisis, the administrative staff stepped in to support their colleagues in the production to ensure that the production could continue during the crisis. After intensive training by the experts at the lines, they kept the production going. This ensured that customers worldwide continued to receive the products they had ordered.

thyssenkrupp donates RMB 2 million to support medical personnel in the fight against corona 

The Chinese business units of thyssenkrupp jointly donated RMB 2 million to the China Charity Federation. Together they want to support the fight against the coronavirus. The donation will be used to purchase urgently needed medical supplies in Wuhan and other severely affected areas. This will help to support the medical staff on the front line.

thyssenkrupp Steel Europe joint venture TAGAL donates 4,000 respiratory protection and 10,000 surgical masks

In addition to breathing masks, TAGAL also donated masks for use in surgery and other necessary protective clothing.

The management of TAGAL from China observed the development of Corona in Germany and decided without further ado to launch the donation campaign.

TAGAL Germany's donation packages reached Germany with the words "We share good and bad, lasting friendship".

In addition to breathing masks, TAGAL also donated masks for use in surgery and other necessary protective clothing.

The management of TAGAL from China observed the development of Corona in Germany and decided without further ado to launch the donation campaign.

TAGAL Germany's donation packages reached Germany with the words "We share good and bad, lasting friendship".

In addition to breathing masks, TAGAL also donated masks for use in surgery and other necessary protective clothing.

The Chinese thyssenkrupp Steel Europe  joint venture TAGAL paid close attention to the spread of the epidemic in Germany. On April 7, TAGAL donated 3,000 medical N95 masks to the German Federal Ministry of Health via the German Chamber of Commerce. The following day, another 10,000 surgical masks, 1,000 medical N95 masks and 100 protective clothing were added. These will be distributed to 23 children and doctors in the Bergisch Gladbach region near Cologne and used to combat the Corona virus.

“We share weal and woe, lasting friendship”, was the warm greeting sent to Germany by TAGAL employees.

USA

BILSTEIN uses 3D printing technology to optimise breathing masks

Wearing protective masks for several hours can quickly lead to skin irritation and painful abrasions – especially behind the ears, caused by the straps used to attach the mask. For this reason, the BILSTEIN plant in Hamilton USA supplies its employees with 3D-printed ear guards. These allow breathing masks to be conveniently attached to the back of the head rather than behind the ears.

The so-called 'Ear Guards' protect the ears from abrasions, which can occur through contact with the fastening cord after several hours of wearing.

The BILSTEIN plant in Hamilton, Ohio is using 3D printing technology to help make it easier for employees to wear respirators.

The so-called 'Ear Guards' protect the ears from abrasions, which can occur through contact with the fastening cord after several hours of wearing.

The BILSTEIN plant in Hamilton, Ohio is using 3D printing technology to help make it easier for employees to wear respirators.

The so-called 'Ear Guards' protect the ears from abrasions, which can occur through contact with the fastening cord after several hours of wearing.

Once the employees had been supplied with Ear Guards, BILSTEIN continued the production process. As a result, over 500 ear guards and 300 surgical masks were donated to the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber distributes the urgently needed material to local medical facilities.

There are some open source 3D printing plans available on the web for free use – the ear guards used by BILSTEIN are just one of the creative solutions to make wearing the masks more comfortable: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:424911

From the 3D printer at home to serial production in the plant

Jannis Tsoufios, Manufacturing Engineering Manager at thyssenkrupp Presta North America, was looking for a lasting solution to protect his colleagues and himself from the novel coronavirus. During his research, he came across the Montana mask, a highly effective filter mask that can be produced on 3D printers. Without further ado, he printed the first prototype on his private 3D printer and presented it at work. It was a complete success – the mask is now produced on the 3D printers in the plant.

When it became almost impossible to obtain rubber bands to attach the masks to the back of the head, thyssenkrupp Presta collaborated with their colleagues from Bilstein in Hamilton, USA. The mask holders printed by Bilstein are used to attach the Montana mask. The close cooperation between the two sites helps protect employees at the sites against COVID-19.

Four 3D printers are currently in use to meet the demand at the plants. Around 200 masks were produced so far. The feedback has been consistently positive: Breathing is easier, the mask fits better and safety glasses no longer fog up.

However, this is only the first step 

As soon as the employees at the sites are provided with masks, production will continue. Additional masks will be donated to hospitals in the USA to equip the hospital staff for the fight against the coronavirus. They are particularly demanded in these hospitals because they can be disinfected and reused.

The data for printing the masks can be found here: https://www.makethemasks.com/about-the-mask

Brazil

Helping the community in times of Corona

Many thyssenkrupp employees around the world currently spend their free time helping their communities. One of these volunteers is Letizia Puosso from the automotive components plant in Pocos de Caldas in Brazil. Together with friends she supports and helps older people in the village. The group does necessary shopping for vulnerable people so that they can avoid risky contacts.

thyssenkrupp Aerospace Brazil ramps up series production of face shields

thyssenkrupp Aerospace Brazil plans to supply at least 80,000 face shields to Sao Paulo and the surrounding area. The Brazilian people are currently in a critical phase of the Corona pandemic and protective equipment for medical personnel is required urgently.

With the support of the Brazilian army, thyssenkrupp Aerospace Brazil will assemble the kits which will be delivered to the final deployment sites. Last but not least: Raw material donations from some of the participating companies are what make this project possible.