News
For Calagaz Printing, it’s 153,000 protective face shields and counting
MOBILE, Alabama – A South Alabama printing company is helping frontline healthcare workers at home and across the U.S. fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Mobile-based Calagaz Printing Inc. had produced about 153,000 protective face shields as of Wednesday, the result of collaborating with local hospitals and shifting its operations to meet a crucial need. Production is…
Birmingham firm provides high-tech helping hand to companies in COVID-19 crisis
During the COVID-19 outbreak, many companies are wrestling with the challenges of travel bans and social distancing practices, but one Birmingham firm is offering a way to keep business operations going through mobile augmented reality technology. Help Lightning’s high-tech solution allows technicians to remotely guide on-site equipment repairs and perform other mission-critical tasks for customers…
Auburn teams to assemble 100 RE-InVENT emergency ventilators
AUBURN, Alabama – Auburn University says more than 100 of its innovative emergency ventilators – converted from CPAP machines – have been assembled and may soon join the fight against COVID-19. Auburn’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering said today that it has teamed with defense contractor Integrated Solutions for Systems (IS4S) and the University of…
Hyundai to provide COVID-19 testing resources in Montgomery region
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama today announced its support to increase COVID-19 testing in Montgomery and surrounding counties through a collaborative effort with Mayor Steven Reed. Hyundai’s Alabama operation (HMMA) is coordinating an in-kind donation of 10,000 COVID-19 RT-PCR tests developed by Seegene, a South Korean molecular diagnostics firm. Seegene’s test can simultaneously…
Alabama companies pivot to produce supplies for health care workers
Alabama industries large and small are coming together to support health care workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Boeing in Huntsville and Mercedes-Benz in Tuscaloosa County are among the state’s biggest employers that are deploying resources to produce face masks and face shields for hospitals and first responders. Beyond that, clothing designers, textile manufacturers, breweries and…
Gov. Ivey launches state’s guide to COVID-19 relief efforts
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Governor Kay Ivey today announced the launch of altogetheralabama.org, an online resource that will serve as a hub of information for the state’s response to the coronavirus crisis. The site becomes the state’s official guide to COVID-19 relief efforts, to help empower those impacted by the outbreak and those who want to…
Alabama automakers lend a helping hand in COVID-19 battle
Alabama automakers are stepping in to aid their communities in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, including support of crucial testing services and production of protective face shields for healthcare workers. Toyota’s Huntsville engine factory is producing 7,500 protective face shields for local hospitals. In addition, the plant has donated 160 safety glasses to local…
Auburn engineers repurpose CPAP machines into emergency ventilators
Auburn University engineers have developed a way to convert CPAP machines into emergency ventilators, a valuable tool in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The design, called RE-InVENT, is one of several efforts at Auburn to aid healthcare workers in Alabama and beyond. Faculty and staff also have produced hand sanitizer and 3D-printed protective face…
3-D printers join race to produce face shields for healthcare workers
Doctors and nurses caring for COVID-19 patients at Birmingham’s UAB Hospital will soon receive protective face shields thanks to 3-D printing technology and a partnership involving the Alabama Productivity Center at The University of Alabama, Alabama Power and UAB’s School of Engineering. Alan Hill, executive director of the Culverhouse College of Business’s Alabama Productivity Center…
SBA Paycheck Protection Program will help small business keep paying workers
Small businesses across Alabama can benefit from a U.S. Small Business Administration program that is designed to help these enterprises keep their workers on the payroll during the coronavirus crisis. The Paycheck Protection Program provides a direct incentive for small businesses to maintain their workforces by getting cash into their hands quickly in the form of…