irst, it was ventilators for hospitals. Now, it’s thermal body scanners for factories.
Demand for thermal-imaging equipment to screen workers’ temperatures is soaring as manufacturers and businesses prepare to return to operations while trying to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Two of the industry’s biggest manufacturers -- Flir Systems Inc. and closely held Seek Thermal Inc. -- say they’re rushing to meet demand.
“When the virus moved in to Europe and North America, it was more Fortune 500 companies, hospital and health-care networks and immediate needs from essential business that were required to operate,” Flir Chief Executive Officer Jim Cannon said in an interview. Now, talks with customers have transitioned to what will be required to keep workers safe when they’re allowed to return to work.