WINDSOR, ONTARIO (April 9, 2020) – Vistaprint is best known as the leading online provider of marketing products and services to small businesses. However, in a world now deeply impacted by COVID-19, the company is adapting its technology to meet the growing needs of frontline workers beginning with a donation of more than 3,000 face shields to the Ontario Healthcare System.
“During a time when this pandemic is leaving many people feeling helpless, an immediate need was identified within our community. We had an opportunity to act quickly and help those on the frontlines,” Vistaprint Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Brad Hedderson said. “Through this quick innovation and by pivoting our production, we are able to help people within our local community and around the world,” Hedderson said. “That gives our team a great sense of pride.”
The Vistaprint engineering and manufacturing teams, located in Windsor, worked with members of the Amherstburg Fire Department to develop a face shield product that meets the growing needs of frontline professionals working with patients impacted by COVID-19.
Within days, the team repurposed existing machinery, created a manual assembly line and produced its first face shields for use in the field. Through its partnership with the Amherstburg Fire Department, Vistaprint was able to connect with Ontario healthcare providers to donate more than 3,000 face shields within the first week of production.
“As soon as we saw the Coronavirus begin to spread throughout Asia and Europe, we knew we would have to prepare locally for what would eventually become a worldwide pandemic,” Town of Amherstburg Deputy Fire Chief Paul Acton said. “When we originally reached out to Vistaprint to see if they could help with this face shield project idea, I was unsure if it was even possible and if we could be successful. That concern was quickly erased by the Vistaprint team’s enthusiasm and drive to support our community.”
The process developed in Windsor is being shared throughout Vistaprint’s global manufacturing teams, with plans of ramping up production throughout North America to create more than 100,000 face shields in the coming weeks.
Across Vistaprint, teams are pursuing a multitude of initiatives that will do good for our customers and the communities they serve. Product examples already underway include as masks, containment panels, pre-printed material with safety protocols and signage. These items help the health, governmental, volunteer and other essential organizations people need in the battle against COVID-19.
Face shields are being provided at cost for hospitals and healthcare facilities in Ontario and across Canada. To learn more about Vistaprint face shields visits https://vistaprintcorporate.com/faceshields.
About Vistaprint
Vistaprint is a global e-commerce brand empowering more than 17 million small business owners to professionally promote their business with quality printed and digital marketing products at an affordable price. Our world-class online design studio allows customers to easily customize their products including business cards, marketing materials, signage, promotional products, apparel, websites, digital marketing, cards and stationery at https://www.vistaprint.ca. Our patented printing technique allows us to maximize efficiency and consistently deliver quality and value to customers. This innovative process is supported by 22 localized websites serving various global markets; world-class manufacturing facilities around the globe, including North America, Western Europe and Australia; and thousands of employees in offices worldwide. Vistaprint is a Cimpress (Nasdaq: CMPR) brand. Vistaprint and the Vistaprint logo are trademarks of Cimpress plc or its subsidiaries. All other brand and product names appearing on this announcement may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.