BERLIN, CT – As the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly advanced across the U.S., medical equipment manufacturers set aggressive timetables to ramp-up production of ventilators that had been in short supply.
Tri-Star Industries, an MW Industries company, had been supplying engineered fasteners that are critical to ventilator assemblies. When the ventilator demand jumped, Tri-Star worked around the clock to meet the demand surge from many companies involved with the production of the vital medical life support systems.
Tri-Star Industries has long served numerous manufacturing industries for over 28 years providing “Made in America,” threaded inserts and precision-machined products to electronics, automotive, food and beverage, and military and defense industrial sectors. Applications range from electronic devices to automotive power-train components.
Tri-Star Industries is a leading designer and manufacturer in this field, and continues to provide solutions to the most critical fastening and assembly challenges that engineers are faced with today. These advancing technologies often require quick turnaround times, from concept to production.
When calls started to come in late March at unprecedented levels for ventilator parts, the Tri-Star team was prepared and immediately sprang into action. The company dedicated machines and personnel to this effort and focused on delivering quality threaded inserts and other components, with the first parts shipping in under two weeks.
On April 5th the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA) and the authorization for “DO” priority of six ventilator contracts was approved and authorized by Alex M. Azar II, Health and Human Services Secretary, in Washington, DC. The Presidential Memorandum states that the “(HHS) Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall use any and all authority available under the Act to facilitate the supply of materials to the appropriate subsidiary or affiliate of the following entities for the production of ventilators”.
GM and respiratory device maker Ventec joined together to make ventilators as demand increased amid the COVID-19 crisis. The first devices were delivered Friday, April 17th, to Franciscan Hospital in Olympia Fields, Illinois. The others were scheduled to go to Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
“All of us are looking to help any way we can and delivering critical components to support this International lifesaving effort,” said Tri-Star Industries General Manager, Brian Stach. “With company focus and teamwork, Tri-Star Industries, considered a critical link in the supply chain, continues to meet the needs of its customers during these challenging times.”
Located in Berlin, CT, Tri-Star Industries was established in 1991. The company manufactures a complete line of standard and custom designed threaded inserts and compression limiters in brass, steel, aluminum and stainless steel for plastic applications. Tri-Star also produces high-volume screw machine products and CNC Swiss precision turned components. The company has machining capabilities to produce metal parts with complex designs, tight tolerances, unique features and high-quality surface finishes.
MW Industries, Inc., headquartered in Rosemont, IL, is a leading provider of highly engineered springs, specialty fasteners, machined parts and other precision components to more than 25,000 customers in 35+ countries. Its more than 50,000 products are sold through a combination of direct sales, catalogs and distributors to original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket customers in medical, aerospace, electronics, energy, agriculture/construction and other sectors.