This story and video is part of our Investor Insights series, a regular feature showcasing how YES! Winnipeg investors innovate in the face of challenges and work together to grow Winnipeg's economy.
When a pandemic hits, as a business, you either pivot or possibly perish. During COVID-19, Winnipeg-based Price Industries, a world-renowned air distribution manufacturer, looked for new ways to leverage their local talent and innovative products in order to keep the production line moving while also helping people.
“When these situations occur, things change. It kind of tests the mettle of a company. Can you adapt? Can you take on new challenges? I think as a company we are ready to take on those challenges as they come,” states Marty Maykut, Senior Vice-President of Price Industries.
WATCH: Our premiere Investor Insights series on YES! Winnipeg investor Price Industries.
Price Industries has been an international leader in the critical environment sector for more than 60 years, and one of its key products — fan filter units — evolved to address pressing, essential service needs during the pandemic. The system, which is typically used in clean rooms or pharmaceutical compounding areas to scrub contaminants or viral particles out the air, was retrofitted to create negative pressure isolation rooms to house COVID-19 patients — first in hospitals, then in temporary healthcare facilities.
The system has far reaching applications which will be critical as more businesses turn their eye to keeping their employees and customers safe, whether they’re in a downtown office building, conference centre, or retail environment.
“We know room cleanliness and air cleanliness is top of mind topic as people are returning to work and returning to schools so we are developing some specific solutions with filtration or UV lights that will clean the area and reduce the contaminant levels,” explains David Surminski, Product Manager for Price Industries.
The company’s ability to adapt and evolve is further bolstered by its homegrown workforce.
“We have immense access to talent in the city within the universities and colleges,” points out Maykut. “The largest advantage is our connection to the engineering faculty at the University of Manitoba where we can source world-class talent here in Winnipeg and it can drive our business.”
You can learn more about Price Industries and its products at www.priceindustries.com.
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