As Brampton dealt with the impacts of COVID-19, many stepped up to address the challenges posed by the pandemic. Brampton companies across all sectors banded together in order to manufacture solutions and help those in need.
Polar Pak shifted its production capacity to manufacture 2 million protective face shields for Health Canada at its plant in Brampton. Students and faculty pivoted to produce 3-D printed face shields at Sheridan College’s Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technologies. O-Two medical Technologies rose to the challenge of supplying much-needed ventilators to support at-risk patient needs. In a partnership with the Province of Ontario, O-Two pledged to manufacture 10,000 ventilators. Empack Spraytech, an aerosol producer, produced hand sanitizer to help fill the shortage.
Brampton based Coca-Cola Bottling Company recently collaborated with Food Banks Canada to make face shields for local food bank volunteers. Using a donation from their partner Amcor Flexibles along with the ingenuity of Sheridan College’s Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technologies (CAMDT), they were able to manufacture 500 protective face shields for the cause.
Sheridan College – Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technologies – printing 3D face shields
“In the face of unprecedented challenges that have forced ingenuity and innovation to develop, Brampton businesses have surpassed expectations and truly risen to the occasion,” said Mayor Patrick Brown. “We thank you.”
Other Brampton businesses who pivoted to help in various ways to respond to the COVID-19 crisis include:
• ABC Technologies – helping produce parts for ventilators
• Almag Aluminum – produced parts for ventilators and medical equipment
• Royal Containers – collaborating with a company in Barrie to produce partitions for cashiers
With the pandemic taking its toll on healthcare institutions and charitable organizations, community leaders also took it upon themselves to exemplify the spirit of giving. Brampton-based Rogers Communication Inc. led by example through Martha Rogers, Chair of the Rogers Foundation who generously committed to matching donations to the William Osler Health System Foundation’s Health Care Heroes Campaign up to $500,000.
Brampton businessman Sajjad Ebrahim, former owner of Par-Pak Ltd, also committed to match donations to the same campaign for up to $100,000. BVD Petroleum president, Bikram Dhillon, also presented a cheque to the Osler Foundation. Narinderpal Lalria and Rajwinder Johal of Access Personnel contributed $20,000 to the Health Care Heroes Campaign. In another show of solidarity, the CEO of Brampton based Canon Canada, Mr. Nobuhiko Kitajima, sent a personal message of support to the Osler Foundation for their contribution.
Great generosity was also shown in assisting the agencies and groups who supported the City’s most vulnerable with donations to the food banks. Italpasta, a locally owned and operated manufacturer, generously donated to food banks to support the high demand during COVID-19 along with Golden Boy Foods. Coca-Cola Bottling Company delivered their products to food banks and provided monetary donations to local agencies in need.
Brampton-based Loblaw head office committed to providing $5 million in gift cards to food banks and community charities, including Second Harvest and Community Food Centres Canada. Unilever Canada in Brampton donated $3 million in “food, soap, personal hygiene, and home cleaning products” to Canadian charities. The Knights Table, a Brampton neighbourhood charity, received a $20,000 contribution from Alectra Utilities. And businesses like Kelsey’s pitched in by delivering meals to healthcare workers.
Thanks to all of “Brampton’s Business Heroes” for their generosity and community spirit.
