SA company to make life-saving face masks in fight against…

Iconic South Australian packaging company Detmold Group will employ up to 160 extra staff to produce millions of respirator and surgical masks for the South Australian and Federal Governments, to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Both governments have reached an agreement with Detmold to produce 145 million masks from their Brompton manufacturing plant in Adelaide – 45 million for SA Health and 100 million the Federal Government’s National Medical Stockpile.

Premier Steven Marshall said today’s announcement is part of the State Government’s strong plan for securing South Australian jobs and protecting our healthcare workers and the community against the spread of COVID-19.

“This partnership will help deliver an uninterrupted supply of respirator and surgical masks to protect our doctors and nurses working on the frontline,” said Premier Steven Marshall.

“South Australia has taken decisive action from the beginning of this crisis and the delivery of critical medical supplies and vital new jobs is another important step in protecting the state.

“This is a great example of a South Australian business working hand-in-glove with government to find practical ways to tackle this pandemic head on.”

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews, said Detmold is the latest in a line of Aussie companies rising up to the challenge of COVID-19.

“This is a fantastic example of how our strong manufacturing base in Australia puts us in a position to be able to make more of the medical supplies we need during the outbreak of this virus,” Minister Andrews said.

“We have a sufficient supply of masks at the moment but this work will ensure we sustain that supply over the months ahead.

“From securing further masks already in the market, to ramping up manufacturing at home, we’re attacking this challenge from all angles.

Detmold Chief Executive Officer, Alf Ianniello, said his company is extremely proud to be stepping in to help during this unprecedented health crisis.

“Detmold is a South Australian company with a long history of employing locals, so to be able to assist with both flattening the curve in this time of crisis and helping keep South Australians in work, is immensely rewarding.

“We expect to have the capacity to manufacture over 20 million masks per month by June and the facility will produce both surgical masks and respirator masks.”

“This significant investment in local manufacturing capability will ensure adequate supply of critical personal protective equipment for the medical industry and all Australians,” said Detmold Executive Chairman, Rodney Detmold.

Work has already commenced on the manufacturing facility which is located in Brompton, South Australia. Specialised machinery will soon be installed and production is expected to begin in May.

This project was initiated by SA Health. For the latest information on coronavirus in South Australia, please visit the SA Health website at sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVID2019 or phone the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787.

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