Plastics
News, March 21, 2020
As a manufacturer of molds for silicone and
plastic medical products, Brea, Calif.-based M.R. Mold & Engineering Corp.
is among those manufacturers staying open despite a state order for residents
to shelter-in-place to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Founded in 1985, M.R. Mold employs 30 people who
design and build molds almost exclusively for the medical market to manufacture
components, such as valve caps for the pumping units of medical masks.
The maker of injection molds for liquid silicone
rubber and thermoplastics has been advised by its legal counsel that it
qualifies as a critical manufacturer for the medical supply chain and emergency
services industry, according to Marketing Director Geri Anderson.
M.R. Mold will continue to supply its customers,
which include a medical device manufacturer that wants to upgrade a respirator
mask product, Anderson told Rubber & Plastics News in a
phone interview March 20.
M.R. Mold
produces molds for a variety of medical products ranging from hip replacements
to IV pistons for intravenous drug delivery systems. Ninety-five percent of the
company's molds go to the medical market, mostly for silicone products, 80
percent, but also plastic at 20 percent of the business.
Company
officials are relieved that M.R. Mold remains open for business, Anderson said.
The legal advice also eases the minds of employees, who have been concerned
about violating the statewide executive order issued March 19.
"They
needed reassurance this morning they won't get in trouble for going to
work," Anderson said.
The order
from Gov. Gavin Newsom, which could last eight weeks or more, allows for
essential businesses to continue to operate in 16 categories, including
communications, finance, food and agriculture in addition to critical
manufacturing.
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