LIXIL Teams Up with Jersey City Rapid Maker Response Group to Distribute Face Shields across the U.S

Partnership Enables LIXIL and JCRMRG to Expand Mission to Bring Face Shields to Medical Workers and First Responders on the Front Lines of the COVID-19 Pandemic

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (July 1, 2020) – LIXIL Americas and the Jersey City Rapid Maker Response Group (JCRMRG) today announced a partnership that will enable expanded production and distribution of face shields to first responders and medical workers in communities across the US battling COVID-19. The collaboration between LIXIL, a water technology company known for its kitchen and bath brands American Standard and GROHE, and JCRMRG, a newly formed volunteer group based in Jersey City, NJ that creates hospital-approved face shields, has united the individual efforts of both groups, enabling them to significantly scale production of the much-needed personal protective equipment to make up to 10,000 shields per day.

In partnership, LIXIL will donate 50,000 face shields within communities it serves across the US. Employees interested in supporting the cause will be provided with face shields to assemble with their families and empowered to donate the shields to frontline workers in their respective communities.

“Our LIXIL team is deeply dedicated to the role we play in delivering quality and safe water that improves the health and well-being of everyone. With our headquarters in such close proximity to an area of the country hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, our team immediately stepped up to help, volunteering time to help make urgently needed PPE for the local medical community and first responders,” said Troy Benavidez, vice president of public affairs, LIXIL Americas. “Having been connected to the volunteers at the Jersey City Rapid Maker Response Group, we realized that we shared a common goal, and we are proud to partner with their team to significantly bolster both our efforts and expand our reach to front-line workers throughout communities in NJ and the US.” 

In partnership with LIXIL, JCRMRG was able to fund, design, and build the manufacturing equipment that enabled an increase in face shield production to 10,000 units per day. This marks a significant milestone for the volunteer-run operation, providing the ability to leverage injection molding to manufacture face shields at 50 times the previous production capacity while keeping costs significantly lower than traditional manufacturers.

“LIXIL has a history of corporate responsibility initiatives, and we are thrilled that our partnership will bring face shields to a greater number of healthcare workers and first responders,” said Justin Handsman, founder, JCRMRG.  “In just two months we went from a call to action in a Reddit group for local makers to help manufacture PPE on 3D printers, to delivering over 1,000 face shields per week to healthcare workers. Now, with the support of LIXIL, we now have the capacity to manufacture 50,000 face shields per week, enabling us to help more first responders and frontline workers as they continue to battle COVID-19.” 

JCRMRG is currently looking for support from other companies across the country interested in helping donate additional shields to first responders.  If interested in becoming part of this ongoing effort, please  email donate@jcrmrg.org.

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About LIXIL

LIXIL makes pioneering water and housing products that solve everyday, real-life challenges, making better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere. Drawing on our Japanese heritage, we create world-leading technology and innovate to make high quality products that transform homes. But the LIXIL difference is how we do this; through meaningful design, an entrepreneurial spirit, a dedication to improving accessibility for all, and responsible business growth. Our approach comes to life through industry leading brands, including INAX, GROHE, American Standard, and TOSTEM. Approximately 75,000 colleagues operating in more than 150 countries are proud to make products that touch the lives of more than a billion people every day. Learn more at www.lixil.com and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

About JCRMRG

JCRMRG is an all-volunteer group that was formed by Justin Handsman after he put a request on Reddit for 3D printers in Jersey City, New Jersey to organize to make much needed face shields for first responders and medical workers in the immediate area who were faced with significant shortages.  In less than eight weeks, the JCRMRG engaged more than 50 volunteers, and have delivered thousands of face shields to local healthcare workers.  The group also reached a significant milestone with the ability to leverage injection molding to manufacture face shields, giving 50x production capacity and the ability to produce 50,000 face shields a week.  The group will continue to raise funds to produce face shields throughout the COVID crisis, and hopes to deploy their capabilities to support future humanitarian initiatives. Learn more at jcrmrg.org and follow our work on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Andrew Testa | 973-224-2081 | atesta@bmlpr.com

Ali Krueger | 732-991-7942 | akrueger@bmlpr.com

BML Public Relations

For LIXIL Americas - American Standard, GROHE, DXV

Ashley Strang | 914-282-8476 | ashley@jcrmrg.org

Jersey City Rapid Maker Response Group

LIXIL employee Debbie Drury distributes face shields at the company’s headquarters in Piscataway, N.J. to LIXIL employees across the country to distribute in their respective communities. Piscataway-based LIXIL, home to the kitchen and bath brand American Standard, recently expanded their efforts to make face shields for front line workers and teamed up with a local volunteer group called Jersey City Rapid Maker Response Group (JCRMRG) to manufacture and distribute thousands of face shields to first responders and medical workers in communities across the US battling COVID-19.  LIXIL is donating 50,000 shields to communities it serves both in its backyard in NJ and across the U.S.