Supply Chain Pivots with SBA Global Logistic Services, Radiant Clipper and ZVerse

As COVID-19 and pandemic regulations continue across the country in various states of shelter in place, closed or slowly reopening, businesses both large and small are needing to learn how to adapt in order to ensure survival. Gyms and conferences have shifted to online classes and events, local grocers and restaurants have harkened back to home delivery services…normal business is needing to adjust to what we all know now as the “new normal”. 

One such company that has shifted its focus amidst these changes is ZVerse: a digital manufacturing company that specializes in 3-D designs. ZVerse is currently utilizing all of its processes, relationships and technology to meet the urgent need to shield healthcare professionals fighting COVID-19 by producing reusable protective face shields. These shields are professionally engineered and compliant with Class 1 devices, are reusable, easy-to-clean, and designed to protect the face, mouth, and eyes from spray and splatter.

“We mobilized our domestic supply chain in a matter of days to become one of the largest providers of reusable face shields in the country,” says ZVerse CEO John Carrington. “We are grateful for our partners who have been on this journey with us since early March. Together, we have produced millions of face shields for our frontline workers.”

Yet once face shields are produced, these critical supplies must get not only get assembled, but delivered to where they are most needed.

In the case of ZVerse, they turned to Radiant Clipper, who in joint partnership with SBA Global Logistic Services and both part of the Radiant Network, created a seamless solution. With each unit arriving in three parts: headset, visor, and application band, SBA has taken delivery of the componentry and built out each face shield to prepare for shipment, while Radiant Clipper has handled the time-sensitive shipping to final destination. All this has taken place in an environment that now must consider social distancing and a bevy of additional safety precautions with each project.

Says John McLaughlin, Sales for Radiant Clipper, “We talk a lot about the need to pivot in this current landscape. We knew the Radiant network could offer a way to efficiently assemble and distribute vital resources for both our customer and to the benefit of the country as a whole.” Chris Brach, Senior VP for Radiant Clipper agrees: “That kind of agility is important and the wide range of service offerings within the Radiant Network truly allow us to execute on unique requests such as this. We have always been invested in the success of our customers and with this particular opportunity supporting those directly fighting the pandemic, the results feel all that more meaningful. It is exciting to be able to assist our customers as they encounter new challenges.”

"It’s all about being able to adapt..."

Just as ZVerse has reshaped their own organization, to date producing over 4 million face shields, the warehouse and distribution model has changed, too. SBA Chicago Owner, Ed Zasada explains: “Space is even more at a premium now, and social distancing plays into every kitting scenario we run. It’s all about being able to adapt: for a project like this, we’ve engaged with every member of our staff—from operations to sales and warehouse, working together. We are committed to safety for both our team and for our customers, with our own PPE in use as well as additional protection measures in place. Even with these dramatic shifts in our operations, we know the work we are doing here, in concert with our partners and customers, is essential in the battle against the virus.”

Together Radiant Clipper and SBA have already ensured the first delivery of trailer loads of ZVerse PPE to locations across the Chicago area. By the completion of the project, there will be over 2.3 million face shields that will have been assembled and distributed throughout the region, including a facility at Hines Veterans Hospital. Reflects Zasada, “I’m a Navy veteran and Hines is the primary care facility for veterans in the Chicagoland area…so this project has been a little personal for me. We’re glad to be able to contribute in a small way to the safety of the staff and patients there”.

SBA Global Logistic Services and Radiant Clipper are part of the Radiant Network: a comprehensive North American provider of third-party logistics and multimodal transportation services. Through its comprehensive service offering, Radiant provides domestic and international freight forwarding services, truck and rail brokerage services and other value-added supply chain management services, including customs brokerage, order fulfillment, inventory management and warehousing to a diversified account base including manufacturers, distributors and retailers using a network of independent carriers and international agents positioned strategically around the world.