NH Coronavirus: Exeter Hockey Company Joins The Fight

EXETER, NH — Hockey equipment manufacturer Bauer has shifted from making visors for helmets to medical visors for those fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

When hockey came to a halt amid the global pandemic, Bauer, which is headquartered in Exeter, faced the possibility of closing its manufacturing plant in Blainville, Quebec. Instead, engineers there brainstormed the idea of producing face shields to help protect medical personnel on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.

They came up with a prototype and the device went into production. Mary-Kay Messier, Bauer's vice president of global marketing, said the company already has devices ready for distribution. They’re expected to first go to doctors and nurses in Canada, then the U.S.

The medical shields are being produced in Quebec and a facility in Liverpool, NY, that normally makes lacrosse equipment. The company said its Liverpool facility made 1,300 face shields Thursday with a goal of producing 2,000 more Friday and 4,000 daily next week.

“There's a real shortage, a dire shortage of medical devices and gear that's needed to keep people on the front lines safe,” Messier said. "We all want to figure out how we can make a difference."

U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire said on Twitter that she's "proud to see this NH business adapt to help health care workers’ needs during this time.”

Columbus Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno tweeted his support: “Awesome work @BauerHockey. Like many, I’m proud to wear your equipment! Thanks for making a difference where it matters!”

Congress' $2.2 trillion virus relief package earmarked $1 billion under the Defense Production Act to help private industry boost the production of medical gear.

"Every company has something that they can contribute," Messier said. “It's just a matter of a little bit of creativity to try and think about what it could be.”

Bauer is still ramping up production of the medical shields, and Messier said she hopes other companies follow suit. She said in times of tragedy, rival manufacturers should not be competitors.

“You're really just all in on it together in how you can help the team,” she said. “I think about hockey. It's really a team sport, right? And we're fortunate to work in that kind of environment, and in this time it's about how can we support the greater community.”

Fellow manufacturer Warrior Hockey tweeted: “In times of need, we’re all on the same team. We commend @BauerHockey's efforts to help keep our medical professionals safe.”