Ramping Up Ventilator Enabling Technologies for Pandemic Relief Effort

Precision Fluidics Division is expanding production in response to significantly increased demand for solenoid and proportional valves used in critical ventilation equipment needed to treat patients with COVID-19. With 20+ years of experience serving the medical device industry, the division is well positioned to respond to customer needs with technical expertise and lean operations to ensure product quality and reliability.

Parker's miniature solenoid valves are known for high-speed operation and extremely low leak rates for use in medical devices, while our proportional valve technology meets the most demanding precision flow applications in the industry. Several valves from Precision Fluidics are utilized in ventilator systems including our VSO Max HP, VSO, VSO Low Pro, x-Valve, and S-11 valves.

Existing relationships with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers who serve the global ventilator market have led to a rapid and successful expansion of our operations to meet increasingly demanding production requests.

One leading global OEM in ventilator instruments stated the following: "We're very moved by Parker Hannifin employees' strong support on the prevention of the coronavirus, which is worthy of our admiration and praise. Our company relies on socially responsible suppliers like Parker Hannifin, and we expect your company to continue to support us on production and jointly contribute to the coronavirus prevention."

"We are employing many preventative measures across our operations to address our highest priority, which is the safety of our team members, their families and our community, while addressing the critical demand of our customers," said Craig Stiffler, Precision Fluidics General Manager.

The division's New Hampshire based team members are all stepping up by adopting rotating schedules, moving to alternate shifts, helping to onboard new hires and, in some cases, moving from the office to manufacturing cells to deliver the increased production output.

The agility of the local team is a key factor in their ability to quickly adjust to rising demands in this time of crisis. Beginning in January, the division has increased capacity across nine primary product families, some as much as a 500% increase. Several office team members have worked on the manufacturing floor, in some cases, on top of their normal office duties, to help manufacture critical valves that have the potential to save lives. Current estimates are that this increased demand could continue well into the fall.

"Our entire team has responded with the courage, resilience and determination that we are known for at Parker," continued Stiffler. "I'd like to extend my thanks to each of them for adhering to our enhanced hygiene and disinfection protocols and implementing physical distancing practices to ensure we can continue to supply our critical valves to help treat sick patients. I couldn’t be prouder of the work our team has done to respond to this crisis!"