by Ken Snyder

I mentioned in my last blog the great work being done by AccuRounds in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In preparing that blog, I had the opportunity to speak with the owner and CEO of AccuRounds, Michael Tamasi. Michael wears multiple hats. He shared a remarkable story with me that deserves inclusion in my on-going blog stories about great work being done during the pandemic. It’s the story of the Massachusetts Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC). Michael currently serves as co-chair of the AMC.

The AMC was initially formed to bring together industry, government, and education into a collaborative effort to advance manufacturing in Massachusetts. Up until the pandemic, the meetings mostly focused on advanced manufacturing issues such as Industry 4.0 and other new technologies being adopted into manufacturing. The pandemic crisis gave new meaning and purpose to the AMC.

When the pandemic hit, the AMC was commissioned with finding local manufacturers who could produce needed medical supplies such as masks, gowns, face shields, and ventilators. At first, the AMC surveyed the state for donations as well as manufacturers that could pivot their operations to produce the needed PPE. It has now evolved into the command center’s resource for ensuring that the necessary medical supplies get where they are needed. AMC has Zoom calls with 47 people three times each week. They are keeping up with demand. They are getting the supplies where they are needed.

Michael says that having so many Lean organizations within the state who can flex and respond has been the key behind their success.