Since D&M was founded in 1972, we’ve been providing tight-tolerance precision parts for the medical and other industries, including defense and automotive. In fact, we were the first U.S. custom injection molder to receive ISO-certification in 1993.

Today, as the uncertainty of COVID-19 grips the world, the supply chains for our nation’s healthcare industry and our food supply are more critical than ever. Since 2000 we have produced and shipped more than 4.8 billion medical plastic parts and 1.4 billion devices to the healthcare industry. Additionally, we manufacture parts that are used in testing for foodborne bacteria in the food processing industry. D&M will remain open and operational in order to continue to support our customers in these critical supply streams.

At the same time, we are equally committed to the health and safety of our employees. For that reason, a primary focus for our team meetings, which precede each of our three shifts daily, has been on safety measures to ensure our employees stay healthy. Those team “huddles” now occur with team members standing at least 6 feet apart. In those meetings, we continue to remind everyone of the World Health Organization’s recommendations, and, in addition, employees have shared good ideas that we have implemented, such as keeping frequently used doors within the plant propped open to avoid having to touch doorknobs or levers unnecessarily.

D&M is following all health and safety advice by WHO and CDC, and we have encouraged frequent handwashing as well as providing hand sanitizer on the manufacturing floor, social distancing, the use of gloves and keeping work areas sanitized. Employees who do not feel well are asked to stay home and we have agreed to pay their wages for up to two weeks. We do not want employees who become sick to return to work before they are well simply because they need a paycheck. If an employee tests positive for the coronavirus or comes in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the coronavirus, we are requiring that they self-quarantine for 15 days. Employees who are at home sick for three days or more will require a doctor’s note before returning to work, for everyone’s safety.

We have encouraged any employee who may be experiencing stress or feeling overwhelmed, to speak with family members or friends, and we offer an Employee Assistance Network which provides professional counseling at no cost to any employee or their family members, should they need additional emotional support during this difficult period.

These are unprecedented times. We are committed to continuing to supply our customers so that they can deliver the parts and services required to support front line medical staff and others disaffected by recent events.

Be well, stay safe, and please let us know if there’s a way we can help support your needs.

– Chip