Allendorf (Eder) – The Viessmann Group is consistently expanding its Corona aid program in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. In a converted part of its production facilities, the family-owned company is manufacturing ventilators for delivery to India, whose population is badly affected by the coronavirus crisis.
Max Viessmann, Viessmann Co-CEO of Viessmann Group: “The global coronavirus pandemic will only end when it ends for everyone – worldwide. The fight against the pandemic requires global solidarity. That is why we are thinking beyond the borders of our own country and providing unbureaucratic help to the people in those regions most severely affected by the pandemic. The way we deal with the coronavirus crisis today will determine how we remember this time in the future – hopefully with pride and the awareness of having achieved a new level of solidarity.”
Dr. Markus Klausner, CTO of Viessmann Climate Solutions: “The ventilators were developed last year during the first wave of the pandemic, in close cooperation with intensive care physicians from the Luisenhospital, the academic teaching hospital of the medical faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, the E.ON Energy Research Center and the district hospital in Frankenberg. A report from an accredited German test institute highlighted the full functionality of our solution. Fortunately, at that time it was not necessary to make use of the equipment. It goes without saying that we will now supply our mobile ventilators to India.”
Ventilators are not dependent on hospital infrastructure
One feature makes the compact Viessmann ventilators ideal for use in India where the pandemic is widespread. They are mobile and are not dependent on the technical infrastructure of a hospital because they can either be connected to the hospital oxygen supply or operated as a standalone solution with a connected oxygen cylinder.
The first emergency ventilators are already en route to India as a donation. Subject to special regional approval, they will then be distributed to the worst-hit regions.
Many more could follow because the employees of a production line for wall-mounted gas appliances at Viessmann are ready and able to step-up production to as many as 600 units per day if necessary. To ensure that the help gets to where it is most needed, Viessmann is not only working with local authorities on the ground, but also with experienced Indian companies and entrepreneurs. Among these companies are h2e POWER, a very successful specialist in the development of sustainable energy solutions that operates worldwide, and EKKI, a leading supplier of pumps and water technology in India.
The impetus for development came from an employee idea
It is surprising that a company specialized in innovative climate solutions should now be manufacturing life-saving ventilators. Even more surprising is that the development took just two weeks, coupled with the fact that the entire project was initiated and successfully implemented on the basis of an employee idea.
“Developing the first prototype in such a short time was a very intense, challenging but exciting experience. Luckily, the ventilators weren’t needed in Germany. But if they can now help to save lives, then it’s a fantastic confirmation of our unique teamwork and co-creation capability,” summarized project manager Dr. Marina Pausch.
The fact that it was possible to develop a simple ventilator in such a short time is due to the company’s expertise in ventilation, which was the ideal basis for the development work. On the one hand, many components from Viessmann’s wall-mounted gas appliances, such as the electronic gas and air connectors, could be used in the ventilator. On the other hand, Viessmann has very flexible production facilities which could be adapted to the new requirements in a very short time. During the development and testing phase, the engineers of the family-owned business were in close contact with anesthetists and intensive care physicians who supported the development process.
In the course of the coronavirus pandemic, Viessmann has converted some of its production capacity to manufacture ventilators, mobile care units, face masks and disinfectants, thereby strengthening its social responsibility. The company recently also developed air purifiers, a unique hybrid solution that provides rooms with a continuous supply of fresh air and simultaneously cleans the air. The unit ensures constant air circulation to reduce aerosols and uses the displacement ventilation principle to keep closed rooms supplied with fresh outside air so that, for example, students and teachers are best protected against the virus and learning is improved.
About Viessmann
Viessmann is the leading provider of climate solutions for all living spaces. The ‘Integrated Viessmann Solutions Offering’ enables users to connect products and systems seamlessly via digital platforms and services for climate (heating, cooling, air quality) and refrigeration solutions. All solutions are based on renewable energy and maximum efficiency. All activities of the family company, founded in 1917, are based on its purpose. “We create living spaces for generations to come” – that is the responsibility of the global Viessmann family with 12,700 members.
Press contacts
Byung-Hun Park
Vice President Corporate Communications
E: huni@viessmann.com
M: +49151-64911317
Jörg Schmidt
Deputy Head of Corporate Communications
E: smdj@viessmann.com
M: +49151-15168389