Rheinmetall and Corona: Major order for protective masks

Rheinmetall has received another major contract in the field of protective equipment for personnel in the medical and nursing sectors. The Düsseldorf-based mobility and security group has been commissioned by the federal government to deliver personal protective equipment (PPE) worth approximately 16 million euros net as of July 2020. The contract includes large quantities of respiratory masks in various designs, protective suits and goggles, as well as gloves.

Since the early phase of the COVID-19 threat, the technology group has been making substantial contributions to counteract the urgent shortage of PPE materials. To date, Rheinmetall has delivered around 20 truckloads to government customers, including primarily respiratory masks of both the FFP-2 type and simpler surgical masks, we reported HERE. The group expects orders for PPE materials worth approximately 100 million euros from the framework agreement for the current year.

With its global presence and locations in 30 countries, including China, Rheinmetall has a stable industrial network and reliable sources of supply for products that meet the highest medical standards.

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG: "We greatly appreciate the trust that the federal government, as a customer, places in us in this highly sensitive area. With our ability to procure high quantities of high-quality PPE materials under tremendous time pressure, to ensure the necessary certifications, and to reliably manage complex logistics processes, we have convinced our government customers."

Subsequently, the federal government has concluded an exclusive framework agreement with the Rheinmetall group to cover the ongoing high demand in Germany, which includes the delivery of several million medical protective equipment items in the coming months. Rheinmetall has now become a major supplier of medical protective equipment in Germany. The current order worth around 16 million euros is part of this framework agreement.

Nevertheless, Rheinmetall is also capable of meeting spontaneous demand for smaller quantities that are needed in acute crisis situations at the regional level.

In June 2020, Rheinmetall was able to quickly respond to an urgent request from a district government in North Rhine-Westphalia, which reported a significant need for protective equipment due to a large number of acutely infected individuals in the region.

Never before has an order been processed as quickly at Rheinmetall. After Rheinmetall was asked to submit a proposal and the detailed offer was submitted within hours, it took only a few minutes for the district government authorities to award the contract. Hundreds of women and men from emergency services and other helpers were quickly supplied with protective clothing and masks to avoid unnecessary exposure to danger during operations.

Armin Papperger: "We protect those who protect us - even in the field of medical protective equipment. We are pleased, and also a bit proud, that we can demonstrate our performance, especially where the need is most urgent. With our highly motivated team, we are always prepared to deliver PPE materials - spontaneously in times of danger or long-term and in large volumes to build up a strategic reserve. We have received very positive feedback from North Rhine-Westphalia in this regard. Our aim is to always be a reliable partner for the authorities."

The challenges in providing such PPE materials are significant. The still high demand from producers in China and fiercely contested freight capacities, questions of payment modalities and certification, risks in transport, complex import formalities, and the need for reliable quality control - many problems are to be solved and new hurdles are constantly being overcome. In addition, there is the challenge of distinguishing between reputable and reliable providers in Asia and elsewhere from those who deliver unsuitable and uncertifiable goods or do not meet their delivery deadlines.

Rheinmetall on the Internet: www.rheinmetall.com