GLENDALE, CALIF. — May 6, 2020 – Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE:AVY), a global materials science company headquartered in Glendale, Calif., is using its next-generation innovation expertise to design and manufacture a soon to be patented Disposable Plastic Face Shield for healthcare professionals on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response.
The company is donating 500,000 of the new face shields to hospitals all over the country, including a donation of 80,000 to CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit health systems and the largest hospital provider in California. CommonSpirit Health operates six Dignity Health hospitals in Southern California, and one of the first deliveries of the face shields will be sent to Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, California.
The new disposable face shield is a protective, clear anti-fog coated polyester plastic sheet that can be used two different ways. The innovative design allows the user to wear it using the easy to assemble, integrated adjustable plastic headband, or the shield can be applied directly to an article of clothing using the skin-friendly, gentle and repositionable adhesive tape strip. It is designed with user comfort in mind and accommodates the wearing of face masks or respirators. Since they are disposable there is no need for cleaning or sterilization post-use.
“Thank you Avery Dennison for your innovative work to help protect health care workers across the country, and especially here in Los Angeles, where we continue to see the activity of COVID-19 in our communities,” said Julie J. Sprengel, Southwest Division President, Dignity Health Hospitals. “Your expertise and generosity are greatly appreciated.”
“With PPE in short supply, we recognized an opportunity—and a responsibility—to adapt our manufacturing lines to produce much-needed safety equipment that is critical to saving lives and supporting recovery from this pandemic,” said Kirsten Newquist, vice president and general manager, Avery Dennison Medical. “We’re exceptionally proud of the ingenuity and collective efforts across all areas of our business. Our team responded quickly, designing and manufacturing these face shields, allowing us to contribute in a meaningful way to local healthcare providers and our communities during a time of great need,” she added.
The new face shields will be available for use by physicians, nurses and other caregivers at Dignity Health hospitals this month, pending distribution from its warehouse where the first shipment will arrive soon.
Since shifting manufacturing lines at the company’s Mentor, Ohio facility, Avery Dennison has committed to donating the first 500,000 face shields to healthcare centers, state health departments and senior care facilities. In addition to CommonSpirit Health, an additional 17 facilities nationwide will receive donations.
Along with the new face shields, Avery Dennison Medical is currently developing other types of personal protective equipment (PPE) in response to COVID-19. The company also participates in several national databases such as Project N95 and GetUsPPE.org, created to connect PPE suppliers with healthcare providers to help put life-saving equipment into the hands of frontline health workers as quickly as possible.
Media Relations
Avery Dennison Medical
Andrew Deckert
T: +1 224 374-2109
andrew.deckert@averydennison.com
Winston Agency for Avery Dennison
Name: Julie Landmesser
T: +1 219 201-4228
Julie@thewinstonagency.com
Dignity Health Southern California
Christina Zicklin
T: +1 310 922-8522
Christina.Zicklin@dignityhealth.org
