French Industrial Consortium To Produce 10,000 Ventilators In 50 Days 

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06 April 2020

In response to the French government’s urgent request for more ventilators to treat the patients most severely affected by COVID-19, a group of companies have formed a task force.

Air Liquide, Groupe PSA, Schneider Electric and Valeo have pledged to produce 10,000 ventilators between April and mid-May.

The task force is composed of around 30 purchasing and industrialization experts, who will define an action plan to produce these Air Liquide Medical Systems (ALMS). This system is already used in a number of hospitals around the world.

To meet this industrial challenge, over 100 partner companies will also help to supply the 300 essential components that are necessary for the fabrication of these medical systems. Production workshops, particularly at Air Liquide Medical Systems, will need to be reorganised and a significant number of operators will need to be mobilised.

“Beyond the industrial challenge and as part of its commitment to solidarity with healthcare professionals and the authorities, Air Liquide will supply these respirators at cost price and without passing on the exceptional costs incurred by this unprecedented industrial program.”

–Benoît Potier

Chairman and CEO, Air Liquide 

Who are the companies in this task force and what will they provide?

Air Liquide S.A. is a French multinational company which supplies industrial gases and services to various industries including medical, chemical and electronic manufacturers. It is the second largest supplier of industrial gases by revenues and has operations in over 80 countries.

Benoît Potier, Air Liquide Chairman and CEO, stated:

"In a context where each new respirator produced can save a life, Air Liquide is currently tripling its production. Today, we have decided to go even further by taking up the challenge of producing 10,000 respirators in 50 days, with, gathered around the teams of Air Liquide, Groupe PSA, Valeo, Schneider Electric and many other partners. In the face of adversity, this approach illustrates the best of French industry, from major international champions to small and medium-sized businesses.

“It is an industrial challenge but also a human one. Teams of engineers, technicians and operators from different companies must be brought together around this exceptional project, and in record time. Air Liquide is very proud to contribute with all its strength to the national effort against COVID-19.

“Beyond the industrial challenge and as part of its commitment to solidarity with healthcare professionals and the authorities, Air Liquide will supply these respirators at cost price and without passing on the exceptional costs incurred by this unprecedented industrial program.”

Groupe PSA

Groupe PSA is a French multinational manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles sold under the Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel and Vauxhall brands.  A specific workshop will be created in its Poissy plant in order to be able to produce the central block of the ventilator, under the conditions of the reinforced health protocol. Some volunteer employees from Groupe PSA will join the Air Liquide factory in Antony in order to strengthen its production.

Valeo

Valeo is an automotive supplier, partner to all automakers worldwide. As a technology company, Valeo proposes innovative products and systems that contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and to the development of intuitive driving.

Within this task force, Valeo is providing support to the Air Liquide teams by:

• Putting together a team of Valeo buyers in charge of supplier management and the procurement of the components needed to produce respirators. This team help respond to the demand for accelerated production and the increased need for components in the supply chain
• Providing technical support with its R&D teams, supplying expertise in plastics, mechanical and electronic technologies
• Making available full-time engineers specialised in wide-scale industrial production. Valeo will organise the accelerated production of the respirators, establish and train the production teams required for a fast ramp-up
• Gathering around 20 voluntary engineers and technicians to respond to the demand for accelerated production

The task force is also supported by Schneider Electric SE, a French multinational corporation and Fortune Global 500 company, specialising in electrical equipment.

Picture: In response to the French government’s urgent request for more ventilators to treat the patients most severely affected by COVID-19, a group of companies have formed a task force.

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 06 April 2020

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