Toyota Kirloskar Motor supports its supplier partner to ramp up the production of “Face Shields” for healthcare workers

In its determined endeavors to counter the implications caused by the COVID-19 outbreak,Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) is also continually engaging with and supporting other stakeholders who are making efforts to fight this pandemic. As a part of this endeavor and in keeping with its continued backing to supplier development activity, TKM provided its expertise to Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Springs Pvt. Ltd.  to significantly enhance the capacity to manufacture the face shields for the public health workforce and law enforcement agencies in the state of Karnataka.

Based in Bangalore, Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Springs Pvt Ltd., a major manufacturer of springs in India, has taken a proactive initiative to develop and produce face shield in order to assist the healthcare department, hospitals, diagnostic centres, and other medical facilities who are on the foreground in the fight against COVID-19 outbreak. Initially, the company was producing 275 units of face shields per day. However, with the support of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, with its expertise in Toyota Production System (TPS), the company has managed to ramp up the production and has successfully started manufacturing over 5500 units. Given the positive result, the company is now focusing on scaling up the production to much beyond 10,000 units per day, in the coming days. This step is likely to go a long way in supporting the  government’s efforts in battling against this disease.

Commenting on the developments Mr. Raju B Ketkale, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said “Amidst the pandemic that ails the country and the repercussions of the countrywide lock down, Toyota lauds the Government for its proactive measures in fighting the virus and is prepared to support them in every possible manner. Toyota has always supported its supplier partners and when Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Springs Pvt Ltd announced their plans to develop and manufacture face shields for the public health workforce, we joined their initiative to share our best practices in Toyota Production System (TPS) and enhance their manufacturing capacity of face shields in support of their cause. I congratulate both the teams in achieving such fantastic scaling in a short time despite so many constraints. Times like these calls for all of us to come together and put our collective efforts and come out victorious.”

Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Satish Machani Managing Director , Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Springs Pvt Ltd. said, “In these challenging times, the Central and State governments have set forth remarkable efforts to combat the crisis and overcome this devastation. At this juncture of nationwide distress, as a responsible corporate, this is our contribution to government efforts in battling this crisis. We are thankful to Toyota for providing us the necessary support and technical guidance in enhancing the production capacity at this hour of need. This not only helped us simplifying our processes but also provided required assistance.”

After successfully producing over 5500 units of face shields per day, Toyota will continue to support the supplier partner and assist them in enhancing the productivity by resolving issues related to workforce, layout modifications and other operations to reach a production capacity of much beyond  10,000 units per day. In-line, Toyota will continue to look for more collaborations and is open to assist any critical component manufacturers in order to strengthen the fight against COVID-19.

TKM has been intently observing the evolving situation and responding appropriately in accordance with guidance issued by the Government. The company will keep on watching the situation and take appropriate countermeasures in order to support the Government to the required extent and deal with contingencies that may arise in the future.