Two large Huntsville employers, Lockheed Martin and Toyota Motor North America, have announced responses to the coronavirus pandemic that will pump millions and new medical supplies into the national fight against the virus.
Toyota also said it will provide payment relief options such as contract extensions and deferred lease payments for vehicle customers affected by the coronavirus.
Lockheed Martin, a defense and aerospace contractor with 600 Huntsville employees, will advance more than $50 million to small- and medium-sized suppliers to “ensure they have the financial means to continue to operate, sustain jobs and support the economy, Chairman, President and CEO Marillyn Hewson said today.
Lockheed Martin will also donate $10 million to relief and assistance organizations with an emphasis on veterans and military families. The company also announced a $6.5 million relief fund for employees and retirees.
The company will also offer its engineering and technical expertise to governments at all levels, offer its facilities for crisis-related activities and donate its corporate aircraft and vehicle fleet for relief support and medical supply delivery.
Lockheed Martin said it will also continue planned employee recruiting and hiring.
Toyota said it will begin mass production of 3-D printed face shields next week for distribution to hospitals starting with centers in Texas, Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan. The company employees 1,400 people in Huntsville making engines in Huntsville.
The company is almost ready to work with at least two companies to produce ventilators and respirators and is seeking partners for filters to produce COVID-19 masks.
Toyota is also offering its organizational skills to hospitals and communities for organizing such things as drive-up testing sites.
Originally published on www.al.com
