Ottawa print shop retools for COVID-19 to deliver Class 1 medical devices to hospitals
OTTAWA, May 4, 2020—Ottawa Print Services has joined Canada’s urgent response to COVID-19 by retooling its workspace to manufacture Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) devices for healthcare professionals. Within only a few weeks, the company co-engineered the SINIX PPE Full Face Splash Shield prototype, submitted a detailed application to Health Canada and received authorization for importation or sale in Canada.
Rebranded as SINIX PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company is already filling orders. The first shipment of 7,500 Class 1 medical devices is being delivered to a local hospital this afternoon. To meet immediate demand, SINIX PPE has already doubled its production schedule to produce 15,000 units per week.
Hamed Zadeh, CEO, SINIX PPE, said, “Like many small businesses, we were hit hard by the pandemic and so were many of our clients. Many of our custom products support events, festivals, trade shows, retailers and restaurants. I had to think of something fast.”
At first, the company started printing COVID-19 safety posters, banners, safe distance floor decals and signage for businesses providing essential services. Zadeh then got the idea to manufacture portable sneeze and cough guard safety barriers for banks, take-out and delivery counters and reception areas.
Zadeh said, “The sneeze and cough guards were the first pivot for us. I had immediate access to CNC cutting machine technology. We already have strong relationships with Canadian suppliers. My employees loved the idea of being able to help frontline workers. We got to work right away and demand has been non-stop. I have an amazing team and couldn’t have done this without them!”
The day after launching the sneeze and cough guards, Zadeh researched how to make disposable face shields for healthcare workers. He contacted his west end printing partner Jason Chan, OttawaScene Canada Group, and they began to work on a prototype for a full face splash shield using only three materials: food grade plastic, breathable foam used in the bedding industry, and knitted elastic. The headband can be custom branded.
Zadeh collaborated with another local business, The Write Paige Inc., to oversee communications and compliance requirements for Health Canada and develop content for market readiness. Nepean M.P. Chandra Arya was also of valuable assistance tracking the application until Health Canada’s authorization was granted.
Zadeh added, “The past few weeks have been a blur. We drove to our suppliers in Toronto and Montreal so we could inspect and purchase materials right away. We kept testing and improving the prototype. We put together a full quality management system and launched a website. I’m so grateful to be able to help essential workers, keep my employees busy and deliver a Canadian product to the local economy.”
Based in Ottawa, SINIX PPE is a rebranded printing, signage and promotional products company that innovated to join the fight against COVID-19. The company is now manufacturing SINIX PPE Full Face Splash Shields, a Class 1 medical device, at its current location. Hamed Zadeh, CEO, is a recipient of the City of Ottawa’s 2018 Immigrant Entrepreneur Award as well as the Ottawa Business Journal and Ottawa Board of Trade’s 2019 Top Forty Under 40 Award.
