While most hockey equipment companies are slowing manufacturing during the season's suspension, Bauer Hockey has chosen to ramp up production amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.
However, the company isn't producing sticks, helmets, and skates, but rather medical shields for healthcare workers fighting the pandemic.
Bauer has transformed its facilities and supply chain to create single-use face shields intended to protect high-risk staff at medical facilities from contracting the coronavirus.
Protection that allows athletes to give everything for their team is our heritage.
— BAUER Hockey (@BauerHockey) March 25, 2020
Right now, we're all on the same team. We're repurposing our facilities to make face shields so that medical professionals battling COVID-19 can safely continue to help those most vulnerable. pic.twitter.com/pBiZuUWdVl
The New Hampshire-based equipment company has placed information on the medical equipment at the top of its U.S. website and includes easy links to order and learn more. The information is accompanied by an extensive FAQ section to ensure interested medical and emergency personnel are informed about the product before ordering.
Concerning specific output, Bauer Hockey plans to manufacture more than 100,000 medical shields at its Quebec facility to be distributed throughout Canada, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported on Wednesday.
While medical shield distribution is rising in Canada, the medical device's existence isn't as known in the U.S., said Bauer CEO, Ed Kinnaly, in Kaplan's report. Kinnaly further said Bauer hopes to increase awareness through outreach and social media marketing.
This shift in production has received praise from the hockey community. TSN, NBCSports, and the NHLPA have all expressed support of the move through social media, lauding the choice of the manufacturer to do what it can to help protect medical professionals during this unprecedented global event.
What a move.
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) March 25, 2020
Stick taps to NHL/NHLPA First Shift partner @BauerHockey for protecting our medical workers! https://t.co/2sufxpg2yx
