General Motors will lease its plant from Kokomo, Indiana to Ventec Life Systems once its contract to build breathing enthusiasts expires.
The automaker signed a $490 million contract with the federal government this year to produce 30,000 Ventec V-Pro enthusiasts for national stocks, which it is recently building at a switched automotive electronics plant in Kokomo, Indiana. Fan production is expected to continue at the plant even after the contract is executed, however, GM agreed to lease the construction to Ventec Life Systems so that it can continue to manufacture the life-saving machines there.
GM and Ventec began initial discussions on fan production on Tuesday, March 17, and on March 25, the Kokomo plant has already been switched from an auto parts plant to a medical source plant with the help of local UAW workers. The first on-site enthusiasts were sent to several Chicago-area hospitals in mid-April.
Ventec Life Systems CEO Chris Kiple praised GM and his company’s efforts to drive fans on the Kokomo site, including at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Until there is a vaccine, extensive care enthusiasts give physical health professionals the equipment they want to fight this pandemic and save lives,” Kiple said in a statement in April. “This partnership is a historic effort and a wonderful reminder of what can be completed with the power of American innovation and American production capabilities combined around a unique life-saving project.
It is known how much GM plans to lease the Kokomo plant in Ventec or how long the leasing era will last.
Subscribe to GM Authority to learn more about COVID-19 similar to General Motors and General Motors news coverage
Notify me of follow-up comments by email. You can also log in without commenting.