August 31, 2022 – While the overwhelming demand for PPE seems to have stabilized since the early days of the pandemic, there’s still a glaring need for domestic manufacturing.
An early-pandemic agreement between Encompass Group and Vizient to relaunch production of disposable isolation gowns in Encompass Group’s Mexico-based facilities has turned into an opportunity for the two companies to collaborate on a US-based PPE manufacturing facility – if Vizient members committed to 5 million gowns a year, Encompass Group would open the facility. That facility is scheduled to open in Georgia by the end of 2022, with the ability to scale manufacturing as needed.
“This agreement is about coming together to do the right thing and understand what is needed in healthcare,” said John Wood, CEO of Encompass Group. “Forget about the past and think about what the solutions should be moving forward.”
Vizient has worked to find more permanent solutions that would yield a more resilient, flexible supply chain. The partnership between Encompass Group and Vizient is just one more area where Vizient is working to improve the supply chain, including beefing up category offerings through the Novaplus Enhanced Supply program.
“If providers know that a portion of their supply volume is coming from somewhere domestic or nearshore, their peace of mind is enhanced,” said Sarah Herrmann, director, program services for Vizient. “They don’t have to worry about port shutdowns or factories in China closing due to another COVID outbreak. What we’re really talking about is building partnerships for long-term supply assurance.”