Editor’s Note: Unlike many other job roles, field service workers can’t keep the world running during a crisis like COVID-19 while working from home. Over the next few weeks, our #CombatCorona series will be highlighting the incredible work that companies whose workers and equipment are on the frontlines of this fight are doing during this challenging time.
In our last article, we tipped our caps to the medical device and biotechnology companies and their frontline teams who are doing incredible work to rapidly accelerate production and provide millions of test kits and ventilators to healthcare systems around the world.
This week, we turn our attention to another sector of the field service industry to celebrate the work that companies and their frontline employees are doing to ensure millions of people around the world can still access food, water, medicine, and more.
A Lot Goes into Getting Goods Through the Door
From processing to manufacturing to distribution, a lot goes into getting goods into the hands of consumers. In challenging times like these, keeping the equipment that powers these processes operational is more important than ever. The following companies provide a snapshot of what goes on behind the scenes to ensure we have access to the items we use each day. Thanks to the hard work these companies and thousands more like them are putting in to adapt to new safety requirements and labor constraints, supply chains around the world are still up and running.
Processing & Packaging
Compac sells and services accurate, high-speed packhouse technology for the produce industry. With their sorting, grading, and packaging equipment, Compac helps ensures a safe food supply is available around the world. In response to COVID-19, Compac has identified and stockpiled critical components which will help them ensure that service operations can continue to function as the situation unfolds.
Through Compac’s strategy of placing more experts closer to customers’ fruit and establishing strong local partner networks, Compac has been able to continue offering local support, lessening the impact of travel restrictions. Compac also plans to leverage remote service and training tools for additional capacity so that they can support customers without needing to be physically on-site.
Marel provides advanced processing systems and services to the Poultry, Meat, and Fish industries with the vision for all food to be produced sustainably and affordably. In response to COVID-19, Marel has introduced new routines to track the health of field service engineers daily and is working closely with suppliers to identify possible gaps in the supply chain. As the pandemic has progressed, Marel has continued to support customers both on-site and remotely. Marel is working diligently to help its customers fulfill changing needs due to the shift in eating habits from restaurants to dining more at home.
Domino provides coding, marking, and printing technologies for companies in the food, beverage, life sciences, personal care, and industrial markets. These companies use Domino equipment to comply with Government and industry regulations, as well as print date and batch/traceability codes onto individual products, cases, and pallets. Without these, companies would be unable to manufacture or ship their products through their supply chains to pharmacies, hospitals, supermarkets, and other retailers.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has progressed, Domino has reacted swiftly to a significant global rise demand for its printing equipment, inks, consumables, spares, and service support from manufacturers. To ensure customers stay up and running, Domino has adapted and expanded its service offerings, which includes expedited repair, expanded remote support, and online service training courses. This has allowed Domino customers to continue the production and distribution of their products.
Distribution
FedEx, a leader in shipping, transportation, e-commerce, and business services, is adapting and ramping up to ensure people receive food and medicine around the world. In March, FedEx Express kicked off a special initiative to help the U.S. government quickly move COVID-19 test specimens from more than 50 remote drive-thru testing centers. FedEx Express dedicated 28 flight legs to carry out this program and is continuing to provide support seven days a week as more remote testing centers come available across the country.
“We have a great responsibility in these unprecedented times to do what we do best—mobilize our network quickly to help the communities where we live and work,” said Raj Subramaniam, President, and COO, FedEx Corp. “As the world’s largest cargo airline, we have the ability to flex our operations in some of the most challenging of circumstances. By swiftly taking action to stand up this special operation, we are playing an important role in advancing the speed of delivery for these critical test samples.”
In addition to the FedEx Express initiative, FedEx is supporting relief efforts through their longstanding relationships with humanitarian aid organizations including Direct Relief and International Medical Corps. These relief organizations are providing critical needs like masks, disposable medical protective clothing, and disposable medical gloves.
Hyster-Yale designs, engineers, manufactures, sells, and services a portfolio of materials handling equipment—equipment that, along with dedicated Lift Truck Operators, is playing a critical role in moving much-needed medicine, food, and more during this critical time. As COVID-19 pushes the world into uncharted territory, Hyster-Yale is monitoring the well-being of its associates around the world, working with their supply chain to identify any potential delays in production, and continuing to support and service customers to ensure their operations keep moving.
LiftOne is a large material handling dealer that distributes Hyster and Yale as well as specialty equipment. In response to COVID-19, LiftOne is conducting daily assessments to ensure they are deploying technicians and equipment to the areas where they are most needed. LiftOne is also offering free delivery for rentals during this time.
As the current pandemic unfolds, we are glad to have organizations like these working hard to keep supply chains running.
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