Mercury Racing And Mercury Marine Responding To Safety Mask Demand

Employees from Mercury Racing in Fond du Lac, Wis., as well as those from Power Products Integrated Solutions—both Brunswick Corporation companies—are using their 3D printing expertise to help make safety masks for first responders and healthcare professionals in their communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The news was announced this morning in a press release from Brunswick, which is based in Mettawa, Ill.

Mercury Racing is one of several Brunswick companies pitchinig in to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

Like fellow Fond du Lac-based Brunswick property Mercury Marine, which has donated more than 11,000 masks to local hospitals and first responders, Mercury Racing currently is closed for production (though Mercury Marine is running limited distribution shifts). To create the masks, three Mercury Racing employees are using their personal 3D printers at home to produce a tool that assists volunteer sewers in the production of hospital-grade breathing masks.

Check out today’s Mercury Racing Blog for more details on this story

“It is inspiring to witness our team applying their passion to solve complex problems using innovative technology like 3D printers. Connections through social media have allowed them to extend their talents beyond normal job duties,” said Stuart Halley, Mercury Racing’s general manager. “It is a great example of the dedication and sense of community that’s at the core of the Mercury Racing family.”

As for Power Products employees, they are working in conjunction with Concordia University in Portland, Ore, to produce masks “that have a unique design with replaceable filter cartridges,” according to the release.

“During these very challenging times, it is important for us to continue to look for opportunities to help our employees, customers and the communities where we live and work,” said Dave Foulkes, Brunswick’s Corporation chief executive officer, in the release. “We all need to do our part right now to lend our resources to those that need them the most, particularly those on the front lines.”

Through its boat-building facilities around the country, the Brunswick Boats Group will be donating 15,000 masks to local first responders next week. A Power Products brand, Marinco is producing electrical equipment used in mobile hospitals and temporary emergency treatment centers.

“Our talented and passionate people, working closely with our suppliers, are making a real difference helping those fighting the pandemic,” said Foulkes.

In addition to safety equipment production efforts, Brunswick Private Foundation recently donated $50,000 to the Red Cross. Brunswick employees around the world are making personal donations that also will be matched by the company, the release stated.

Shown with his top in-house assistant, Mercury Racing development engineering manager Steve Wynveen is among the company’s employees working at home on safety masks.

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