Corona pandemic: Companies adapt to meet changes in demand

One company that responded to changing demand is Ottobock, a prominent medical device manufacturer. The German company has specialized in manufacturing prosthetics, orthoses, wheelchairs, and exoskeletons. At the start of the coronavirus outbreak, the manufacturer expanded its production to include hygiene and protective equipment. Its product line-up now also includes hygienic door handles, personal door openers, plastic visors, and mobile protective screens that can be used by associates in the various supply centers, for example.

Marco Volkmar, the head of the new production unit tells us, "We responded to the increased demand right at the onset of the coronavirus crisis. This effort was aimed at supporting in-house processes, and assisting local institutions such as hospitals, medical practices, nursing homes, and partner companies with our products and services." He adds that Ottobock was able to effortlessly make the switch by relying on existing machinery and the expert knowledge of its employees. The production of the door openers and individual components of the door handles involved a 3D printing process and did not require the purchase of new equipment.

Ottobock did not expect added financial benefits from the new production unit. Most products were either donated or sold at cost. The company doesn’t plan to produce hygiene and protective items in the long run. It has already slowed down production due to current reduced demand. However, the company still has items in stock and is able to ramp up production at any time to meet demand should the coronavirus situation worsen again.

Ossenberg GmbH, the manufacturer of walking aids and orthopedic products also expanded its production amid the coronavirus pandemic. It included surgical Type 1 and FFP2 respirator masks and hand sanitizers in its product line-up. The company gives the switch over a positive rating – both as it relates to customer feedback and economic success. "The short-term addition of personal protective equipment has dampened the enormous economic fallout from the coronavirus and helped us cope with challenging and difficult circumstances," says Managing Director Carsten Diekmann.

He adds that the company had originally planned to set up its own respirator mask production in Germany, but decided to shelve the project and purchase the masks from approved and certified suppliers. It only had to purchase a bottling system for the disinfectants. If demand continues, Ossenberg plans to permanently add the new products in its portfolio.

German companies are not the only businesses affected by the Coronavirus crisis. Over the past few months, the UK mobility scooter company Scooterpac has also expanded its portfolio during the pandemic and added disinfectants, nitrile gloves, face shields, and disinfectant clinical wipes to its regular production line-up.

A majority of these products were supplied to NHS Nightingale Hospitals. These are seven hospitals that were opened in various cities across the UK since early April in response to the increased demand prompted by the surge of COVID-19 care demands. Scooterpac is also very pleased with the success of its switch to protective equipment production. On its Facebook page, the company states that it is "proud to be supporting our NHS & local organizations."