Georgia Fabrication Shop Answering Call for COVID-19

Businesses around the country are shifting into overdrive to help battle the coronavirus.

A small machine and fabrication shop in Northwest Georgia has also answered the call for help in the fight with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Quality Machine is a small welding, fabrication, and machine shop located in Lafayette, Georgia. The business recently enlisted all 26 employees in the manufacturing of portable X-ray stands to be sent to New York.

Jim Royal, was a paramedic before becoming the owner of Quality Machine and it was during his time in the medical field he discovered the difficulties of not having portable X-ray stands.

Through his medical background he saw the need to develop a portable X-ray stand which would allow medical staff to setup an entire radiology department in a parking lot if needed. “I knew there had to be a better way of doing it,” Royal said.

When COVID-19 cases began to spike in New York the team at Quality Machine shifted into high gear building the portable X-ray stands. “Even my beautiful wife, Francine Locke, is helping us get it done,” Royal said.

Francine Locke

“With all the shortages and difficulties getting materials, our team had to redesign the original plan without bent tubing,” Royal said.

“I am so proud of my guys. They were able to fabricate a new version of my portable X-ray stand in less than two weeks for emergency order.”

The first shipment is already on its way to help New York, with many more to come. “As of today, we will be expediting 80 total stands to the fight,” Royal said.

Quality Machine and Fabrication has been serving the tri-state area of Northwest Georgia, South-Central Tennessee and Northeast Alabama, since 1972.