How Walbro is Assisting with the Fight Against COVID-19

 

Walbro Engineering Manager, New Product Development Brad Roche joins host Tyler Kern to outline how the company is doing its part to assist medical personnel on the front lines of the battle against the global COVID-19 pandemic.

On this episode of Talking Shop with Walbro, host Tyler Kern was joined by Walbro Engineering Manager, New Product Development Brad Roche for a special discussion about how the company is helping those on the front lines of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Walbro has created an aerosol shield for nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologists to utilize during intubation, which protects these front-line healthcare workers from aerosol particles potentially spreading the novel coronavirus.

The product addresses a critical need for personal protective equipment, or PPE, that has been exposed by the accelerated spread of the virus.

“Through some brainstorming that we did, we tried to identify a lot of things that we could help with, then we started reaching out to medical professionals,” Roche said. “Through their guidance and feedback, we’ve created this device, which is largely based on something people are building in their garages. We thought we could bring a level of professionalism to it and make it a lot more durable, a lot more usable and (make it) last a lot longer for medical professionals.”

The entire process of engaging in this transition to supporting the medical community took less two weeks, with the initial brainstorm coming in mid-March, further consultation and improvements aimed at mass production toward the end of the month, and the first prototype-tooled version finalized on March 27.

Though Walbro was able to convert a plant typically manufacturing products like fuel tanks into a viable location for the production of these shields, Roche said the real heroes are those serving our global community on the leading edge of the fight against COVID-19. Learn more today at https://www.walbro.com/aerosol-shield/.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Healthcare Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Stop Guessing: How Reality Capture Improves Construction Productivity
January 20, 2026

Construction projects lose time and money when teams rely on assumptions. Someone says a section is “done,” another trade arrives, and then problems appear: wrong levels, missing openings, clashing services, or unfinished areas. That leads to rework, delays, and arguments. Reality capture helps because it replaces opinions with clear evidence. Reality capture means using tools…

Read More
Human Trafficking
National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January 20, 2026

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies. In this episode of School Safety Today, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Kelly Brickl, a trainer with SPEAK UP, in recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. During the conversation, Brickl shares data, real-world warning signs, and explains how age-appropriate, research-based prevention curricula can empower…

Read More
college
A One-Year College Alternative: How Pega6 Is Preparing to Train AI-First, Job-Ready Talent
January 19, 2026

The traditional four-year college model is facing growing pressure as rising tuition, shifting labor market demands, and new technological realities expose gaps between education and employment outcomes. Confidence in the traditional college pathway is eroding among parents, students, and employers as rising costs and persistent skills gaps collide with the reality that many new…

Read More
radio
Where Experience Meets the Extreme: John F5VHQ at the World’s Most Isolated Radio Outpost
January 16, 2026

For some operators, Bouvet Island is the final frontier. For John (F5VHQ), it is a challenge that stands apart even after decades of DXpedition experience. A veteran of more than twenty years in the field and Vice President of the Clipperton DX Club, John joins the multinational 3Y0K team with both experience and conviction….

Read More