ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. a Cambridge, Ont.-based automation solutions provider has received a $65 million order booking from Tessy Plastics to design, build and deliver two automated manufacturing systems within the next four months.
The manufacturing systems will enable the production of 10 million units per month of critical components for point-of-care testing kits that can be used to detect COVID-19.
Tessy has said it intends to hire 200 people to ramp up production for the tests. The company also began making face shields in early April, 2020.
“Our teams have been hyper-focused on helping manufacturers address the critical need for medical equipment brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Andrew Hider, chief executive officer of ATS. “ATS’ involvement in this critical program for Tessy Plastics brings forward our significant capabilities in life sciences coupled with our ability to quickly enable manufacturers to scale production at the highest levels of quality demanded in the medical device industry. I am very proud of the way our teams have optimized resourcing across the ATS global footprint to meet an aggressive delivery schedule that will quickly bring these urgently-needed test kits to the medical community.”
Tessy Plastics is a global contract manufacturer headquartered in Skaneateles, N.Y., specializing in injection molding and custom automated assembly solutions. The company has facilities in New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and China, adding up to more than 1.6 million square feet, including 135,000 square feet of ISO Class 7 & 8 clean room manufacturing.
ATS employs about 4,500 people at 23 manufacturing facilities and 50 offices in North America, Europe, Southeast Asia and China.
