Hillsborough County’s Southern Manufacturing Technologies (SMT) is best known for producing components for aircraft, aerospace and defense industries. What many don’t know is that, for 15 years, SMT has manufactured a part used in GE’s Carescape R860 Ventilator—and as Ford leads an effort to double production of the life-saving devices, SMT is ramping up as well. 

“The demand is so vast, it’s nearly impossible to quantify. We’re just making as many as we can as fast as we can,” said SMT Owner and President Roy Sweatman.

Prior to March, SMT produced an average of 736 aluminum pieces each month. Now, they make nearly 3,600 a month, and are preparing to double that to more than 6,000. To keep up with the skyrocketing demand, SMT has invested $70,000 to retool their machines. And the company’s rigorous Covid-19 response doesn’t stop there.

From staggering shifts in 15-minute increments so workers have less contact with one another to renting another building to spread people out during meetings—and not to mention lots and lots of cleaning—SMT has prioritized worker safety as well as increased production.  

Joining SMT in the critical relief efforts are a few partners along the supply chain, including Coating Technology in Oldsmar, who handles the anodizing process for the ventilator piece. They have stepped up to match the increased production and help provide relief during this global crisis. 

“Everybody’s ready to do whatever it takes to help out with what’s going on,” Sweatman said.

Categorized in: Careers, Community, Industry