Maryland has launched a new online portal designed to connect the state’s manufacturers of personal protective equipment and other essential items with buyers.
The state Department of Commerce has joined with the Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MD MEP) to create the Maryland Manufacturing Network Supplier Portal, which will serve as a central location for buyers to see which suppliers have PPE, health care equipment and other essential items.
“As the coronavirus pandemic unfolded in our state, many of our local manufacturers, particularly those that were already producing PPE, reached out to us to see how they could help in increasing production of these critical items,” Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz said in a statement Tuesday. “This overwhelming response from our business community led us to partner with Maryland MEP to develop this tool which will enable buyers to search for Maryland companies that are making the supplies they need most.”
The site, at marylandmanufacturingnetwork.com, has separate tabs for suppliers and buyers. Suppliers can fill out a survey listing what they already produce or requesting help to switch over to making essential items. Those looking to purchase essential items can use the website’s search feature to find products ranging from face masks and gowns to reagents and cotton swabs.
The portal marks suppliers that have been verified by MD MEP with a check mark, while those that have been verified by MD MEP and are taking purchase orders are marked with a star.