Southmedic Receives Funding to Expand Local PPE Production

In October 2019, Mohawk Medbuy invited a group of local Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) representatives to discuss challenges they face in accessing and participating in health care initiatives – and in bringing their innovations to the sector. Mohawk Medbuy has had a longstanding commitment to Canadian SMEs and facilitated this opportunity for open dialogue amongst local manufacturers, the Ministry, and Ontario Health.

One of the companies attending the discussions was Southmedic, a Barrie, Ontario based medical device manufacturer. “There are certain challenges that have existed for SME representatives for years,” said Mark Smith, Director of Strategic Accounts at Southmedic. “The opportunity to have these conversations was refreshing. Mohawk Medbuy will work with suppliers to try to clear these roadblocks so we can all work together.”

Southmedic’s Mark Smith participates in an SME Forum organized by Mohawk Medbuy.

No one could predict that just a few months after this SME forum, the world would find itself in the throes of an unparalleled pandemic. As a major shared services organization, Mohawk Medbuy supported the provincial COVID-19 efforts and task forces in sourcing, clinically-vetting and distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) to health care providers across the province.

One of the first procurements made was additional face shields manufactured by Southmedic, who revised their operations to expand production of this essential item. They were quick to respond and commit to producing high quality face shields to help meet surging demand.

Southmedic ramped up production of face shields to help meet need for PPE to protect frontline workers.

“The interesting outcome of our COVID Challenge is the recognition that we need devices that are manufactured in Canada if we are to domestically control the supply of essential products and support our local economy,” said Lee McDonald, President and CEO of Southmedic. “This mindset change and the subsequent investments in Canadian infrastructure is monumental for SMEs.”

Mohawk Medbuy was pleased to learn that Southmedic is one of three local manufacturers chosen to receive financial support through the provincial government’s Ontario Together Fund. The investment allows recipients to re-tool their processes and increase manufacturing capacity of PPE.

“This pandemic has reinforced the importance of Ontario’s innovative manufacturing sector,” said Tony DiEmanuele, President & CEO of Mohawk Medbuy. “Southmedic has been an important supplier to our Member hospitals and we’re pleased to see their dedication and resourcefulness acknowledged in this way.”