Boeing delivers first set of reusable 3D-printed face shields to health care workers

CHICAGO — Boeing delivered 2,300 reusable 3D-printed face shields on Friday to health care workers on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19

Boeing said the Federal Emergency Management Agency will deliver the shields to an alternate care site to treat patients with coronavirus in Dallas, Texas.

In a news release, Boeing officials said the company will produce thousands of face shields per week and will gradually increase their output to meet the demand for Personal Protective Equipment in the U.S.

>> Related: Report: Boeing may cut workforce by 10%

Boeing said it is producing face shields at company sites in Washington, Missouri, California, Arizona, Alabama, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Oregon. Argon ST, a Boeing subsidiary in Pennsylvania is also producing shields, the company said.

"Boeing is proud to stand alongside many other great American companies in the fight against COVID-19, and we are dedicated to supporting our local communities, especially our frontline healthcare professionals, during this unprecedented time," Boeing president and CEO David Calhoun said.

Boeing announced Sunday it was extending the temporary suspension of its Puget Sound operations until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic.

>> Related: Boeing announces plans for voluntary layoffs

“The health and safety of our employees, their families and our communities is our shared priority,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Stan Deal. “We will take this time to continue to listen to our incredible team and assess applicable government direction, the spread of the coronavirus in the community and the reliability of our suppliers to ensure we are ready for a safe and orderly return to operations.”

The machinists’ union stated in an email Sunday night the closure will be unpaid time, despite their requests that employees be paid during the suspension.

The original shutdown began March 25 and was originally supposed to last two weeks.

Boeing said it will monitor government guidance on coronavirus and reassess at a later date.

© 2020 Cox Media Group