Workers at Nisco use machinery to make hospital gowns on Monday in Bremen. The company typically makes seals for the automotive industry. Staff photo by Robert Franklin
Nisco worker Herminia Rayn tries on a hospital gown at the plant in Bremen. Staff photo by Robert Franklin
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The massive Nisco plant in Bremen is quiet except for a section near the center where a small group is producing protective gowns that are going to hospitals in Michigan and Ohio, as well as first responders in Marshall County.
A separate plant in South Bend has stepped up production of sanitizers and antiseptics for its normal base of customers, but it’s also reconfigured an existing production line and built a new one so that it can make a sizable donation to first responders and health care workers in St. Joseph County and Beacon Health System.
The two companies are among those who are figuring out ways to pitch into the effort to help protect front-line workers in the battle against the coronavirus with donations or by producing protection products.
Recreational vehicle companies are donating RVs that are being used as mobile testing stations, as well as gloves, glasses, masks and other safety equipment. Winnebago Industries converted a sewing line in Iowa to produce face masks for medical personnel, and TJ Snuggles in Bremen is producing mattress covers.
The University of Notre Dame is involved in several projects with the Indiana Medical Innovations Coalition, along with Indiana University and Purdue University, to help fill expected medical personal protective equipment shortages, said Sue Ryan, director of media relations for the university.
Nisco, otherwise known as Nishikawa Cooper, normally would be filled with more than 400 employees producing a wide variety of door, trunk and other seals for auto manufacturers.
Because auto manufacturers are currently shut down, the plant is vacant except for the handful of salaried employees who are producing the protective gowns that are being donated or sold at the cost of raw materials, said Leah Oden, plant manager.
Nisco engineers came up with the design for the protective gowns after the company was contacted by Jerry Chavez, president and CEO of the Marshall County Economic Development Corp.
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