New EPA assessments and Slide Products’ decision to eliminate all chlorinated solvents.

On September 28, 2011, the EPA issued their “final health assessment” for trichloroethylene (TCE), one of the most widely used chlorinated solvents nationwide, to the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS.) It states:

“The final assessment characterizes the chemical as carcinogenic to humans…”

What does this mean?
This assessment has already made an impact on our industry. While some aerosol manufacturers have
kept TCE in their formulations, the solvent’s availability has become very limited. Dow, for example, no
longer makes TCE accessible to our industry while PPG has chosen to significantly raise its price and
limit its availability. This in turn has driven up costs and resulted in higher prices for molders and mold
makers who use products like mold cleaners, which contain TCE as a solvent. To read more about this subject click here.

To meet the extreme global shortage of critical medical and personal protection equipment (PPE), entire new supply chains have been established. Leading companies like Ford and GM are partnering with major companies like 3M, GE, Medtronic and Ventec. In turn they are soliciting the help of the North American mold-makers and molders to manufacture essential parts. Ventilators, face visors, and plastic swabs used in the testing of COVID-19, are headline news and are require immediate delivery.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the DME team. Every employee has rallied to help customers re-tool and manufacture products needed in the front-line fight against COVID-19” stated Smith. “The safety of our employees was our first priority and we quickly arranged for “non-essential” personnel to work from home. This created the space needed to support social distancing of our workforce. We have taken all measures recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC and to-date, we have no cases of COVID-19 at any of our global facilities” added Smith.

DME was assigned the status of being “essential” in the supply of “critical infrastructure” such as healthcare, pharmaceutical and food supply required during the current COVID-19 emergency and has responded accordingly. Production hours at both the DME Greenville, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario mold base manufacturing plants have been extended to keep up with demand.

“The North American mold making industry has responded magnificently to the challenge. Our customers, some of whom have never made healthcare products before, have used their creativity to develop new products and new tooling in record time. This is typical of the “can-do” attitude of our Industry” Smith further commented.

Mayer Tool and Engineering located in Sturgis, Michigan is just one great example of the partnership DME has enjoyed with its customers to successfully make the products needed by the healthcare industry. “DME has been great. When we were asked to make respirator masks and face shields for doctors and nurses, we immediately turned to DME and Spectrum Design Group Inc for assistance. DME worked with us and delivered everything we needed in record time. We have shipped our tooling and its now in production making products for the healthcare community” stated Caralee Mayer, Co-Owner.

“As an Industry we have responded magnificently so far, but the fight is not over. We will continue to support our customers through this period while ensuring employees are safe” concluded Smith.

We would like to thank all of DME’s customers and employees for their great work at this crucial time in our nation’s history. Together we will beat the invisible enemy.

#STAYSAFETOGETHER