Adapting to the “New Normal”
While MAS has built a reputation for its ability to drive and adapt to change, COVID-19 was a risk event that hardly anyone had anticipated. However, our culture of agility, innovation and adaptability ensured that the organization continued functioning. We reacted quickly to make wide-ranging transformations to adapt to the “new normal” and continue serving our clients and communities.
A “Safety-First” Approach
Upon realizing the seriousness of the pandemic, nearly all our operations were halted as the safety of our people was paramount. The management immediately went into action, supported by experts, to decide on how best to secure our facilities and recommence operations. Extensive plans were drawn up and put into action. The transition occurred seemingly “overnight”; MAS was transformed from a company where people worked in close quarters all the time, to a company with strict social distancing and remote-work where possible.
In terms of health and safety, existing systems and protocols were beefed up and stringent sanitization procedures were implemented. These were based on global models and recommendations from organizations such as Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health, the WHO and the US CDC.
Everything from temperature checks, to sanitization of the workplace before and after every shift, along with other measures such as wearing facemasks, gloves and other protective gear were swiftly implemented. It was a challenging transformation, but by working together, at a distance, MAS was able to adapt to changing circumstances and recommence operations. Arrangements have also been made to accommodate our many differently abled workers.
Adapting to Changing Conditions
While adapting to new working conditions, it was also necessary to adapt to unfamiliar market conditions. The suddenness with which market conditions changed was challenging at first, but through innovative thinking and leveraging dynamic strategies, we understood what needed to be done.
Going into a global pandemic with nationwide lockdowns, we foresaw that the market would see massive demand for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Thus, using our teams of innovators at Twinery and Silueta, we immediately shifted gears, turning our attention to PPE and related equipment, accessories and garments. Our manufacturing lines were able to swiftly produce these products in line with global standards and distribute them to those in need using our extensive supply chains.
Through MAS Silueta, we also developed a range of 3 fashionable and effective non-medical facemask designs. These masks are designed to provide varying degrees of protection for individuals, depending on their level of exposure. All these masks conform to the ASTM F2101–01 standard for bacterial filtration and have been designed using advanced 3D parametric modelling software and computer aided manufacturing technology. Learn more here.
Pushing for Innovation
From the outset of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we realized that innovation would be key to survival. It would be necessary to adapt to changing requirements as the world emerged from this crisis. Fortunately, the culture at MAS revolves around a spirit of innovation and our best minds went to the drawing board to design and build new technologies and solutions to assist healthcare workers and mainstream consumers.
Here are some of the best MAS innovations that were born during this crisis:
Robotics — The MAS Casualline R&I team, led by Madura Dissanayake, developed a robot for the Welikanda Special COVID-19 Hospital. The robot was able to deliver food and medicine to patients while also monitoring each patient’s status. This robot helped to minimize exposure of health workers to infected patients while still keeping them comfortable.
PPE — MAS engineers developed state-of-the-art PPE that could be quickly mass produced and distributed to frontline workers at high risk during the lockdowns. We are continuing to produce these for all frontline workers even after the lockdowns have ended and will continue to do so until all demands have been met.
During the most critical period of the lockdowns, MAS mobilised 500 workers at 10 plants to produce 16,000 units of PPE and over 100,000 facemasks in record time to ensure that our frontline workers were safe.
Perspex Containment Devices — In an original feat of MAS innovation, our engineers designed special Perspex containment devices, to isolate the heads of patients while nursing and medical workers could perform tests and treat respiratory difficulties. This initiative helped to reduce the risk for healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients.
The New Normal
The battles are far from over and the COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions will remain with the world for the foreseeable future. But what we have learned from this experience is that innovation and adaptability are key to surviving in the post COVID-19 future. We have also understood that, while this crisis has brought much destruction and hardship, it has also created opportunities. Particularly, the opportunity for humanity to work together and the possibility of a safer, cleaner and more responsible world than before.
At MAS, we are inspired and energized by the experiences we have had and how much closer we have grown as a team, despite having to maintain a social distance. We look forward to innovating and adapting to new market and social conditions while continuing to deliver only the best to our clients and empowering our communities as we have always done.
