Stepping Up When It Mattered Most
During the initial months of 2020, The Gilman Brothers Company answered the urgent need for solutions amidst the escalating global COVID-19 crisis. By leveraging its INFINITY® Styrene Faced Foamboard, the company made available various designs of emergency temporary medical beds and options for social distancing.
Innovation in a Time of Crisis
When Connecticut needed emergency medical capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Gilman Brothers Company answered the call by designing and manufacturing lightweight, durable temporary hospital beds made entirely from foamboard. Working closely with the Connecticut National Guard, the Gilman team rapidly developed a tool-free solution that could be shipped flat, assembled in minutes, and support up to 600 pounds. The thousands of beds produced for emergency field hospitals reflected Gilman’s long-standing commitment to innovation, community service, and stepping up when help is needed most.
The Vaccine Transport System
The Vaccine Transport System showcases how innovation and collaboration can help solve real-world challenges. Developed by The Gilman Brothers Company in partnership with vendors, suppliers, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this lightweight, portable solution is constructed from INFINITY® styrene-faced foamboard and Rynoboard® and designed to safely transport and protect temperature-sensitive COVID-19 vaccines. The project reflects Gilman’s long-standing commitment to innovation, teamwork, and creating solutions that make a meaningful impact.
Designed for Today’s Needs. Ready for Tomorrow’s.Solutions for a Changing World
Portable Vaccine Station
Designed to help communities rapidly expand vaccination capabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gilman’s portable Vaccine Station combined innovation, flexibility, and ease of deployment. Constructed from INFINITY® UV-resistant styrene-faced foamboard, the lightweight, modular system features moisture-resistant, sanitizable surfaces and can be customized with graphics or branding. Shipped flat and assembled without tools, the interlocking stations made it possible to quickly transform virtually any space into an efficient vaccination site, demonstrating The Gilman Brothers Company’s commitment to delivering practical solutions when they were needed most.
Essential Solutions for Critical Challenges
Designed for Today’s Needs. Ready for Tomorrow’s.
The Gilman Brothers Company combines innovative engineering, advanced materials, and agile manufacturing to develop lightweight, durable, and rapidly deployable solutions for evolving challenges. From temporary healthcare infrastructure and privacy partitions to custom structural applications, our team stands ready to collaborate, innovate, and deliver practical solutions that help organizations respond to emerging needs today and in the future ready to provide innovative emergency response solutions, including temporary hospital beds, privacy partitions, shelters, and modular structural systems designed for rapid deployment, easy assembly, and reliable performance in critical situations.
Bozrah Company Making Temporary Hospital Beds for State
By Siobhan McGirl • NBC Connecticut • Published April 9, 2020
When Gilman Brothers, a local manufacturing company, was founded in 1897, making hospital beds was not part of the company’s plan. More than 123 years later, making hospital beds was still not in the plan. Then COVID-19 hit the state of Connecticut.“When you are called to help and you have a willing team, these are the things that you can do,” said Evan Gilman, the company’s third-generation manager.
Gilman Brothers has switched gears to help provide medical supplies for COVID-19 response in Connecticut.
The company usually makes foam board signs. When it became clear that COVID-19 would start impacting local businesses, the leadership team at Gilman came together to brainstorm ideas that would keep their workers employed.
“Instead of waiting for the inevitable to happen, what can we do to be a part of the solution and ensure that the families that are here at Gilman Brothers continue to stay off the unemployment line,” explained Ari Luna, business development manager for the company.
Luna said that the team came up with several ideas, but the thought of making hospital beds stuck. They researched dimensions and started drawing designs. Within days the team was able to design a temporary hospital bed, completely made out of foam boards, that can be put together in minutes.
After sending the design out to several of their contacts in the manufacturing community, the state got wind of the company’s capability. According to Luna, a representative from the Connecticut National Guard called them on a Saturday to learn more.
“It was definitely a need for temporary solutions and we quickly went into gear,” said Luna.
That following Monday the company had already sent out the first shipment of beds. Since then, the state has ordered 3,000 beds and 3,000 partitions from the Gilman Brothers.
According to John Uliano, the company’s director of operations, the material worked really well for the state. The beds are sturdy, Uliano explained, and can hold up to 600 pounds.
Additionally, they are easily disinfected and take minutes to build.
“You are able to assemble the bed without having any tools,” said Uliano.
The bed pieces are cut and shipped to the Connecticut National Guard. National Guard soldiers then assemble them.
As the state prepares for a surge of coronavirus patients, members of the National Guard helped to set-up a field hospital at Western Connecticut State University last week. The
Gilmans were sent a video of the soldiers assembling more than 200 beds at the field hospital.
“It gave me goosebumps when I saw that video for the first time,” said Gilman. “It has been a major struggle for the team to do this and do it as fast as we did, but when you see that, it makes it all worthwhile.”
The team is currently working on the state’s third order. They are not sure if the state will need another.
“We truly hope those beds never get used, but we are humbled to be a part of it,” said Luna.
The bed-making venture is a full-circle moment for the company. It is not the first time Gilman Brothers has switched gears to help in a time of crisis. During World War II, Gilman’s grandfather and great uncle stopped their regular work to manufacture comforters for U.S. soldiers.
“They always had a sense of obligation to their community and their country,” said Gilman.
“That is what they would be most proud of.”
The Gilman Brothers Company Responds to USACE Need for Vaccine Transport System
NOVEMBER 12, 2020
The Gilman Brothers Company is once again responding with innovative and creative solutions in the battle against the global COVID-19 crisis. Latest in the company’s line up of essential products is a portable vaccine station constructed from Gilman’s INFINITY® UV resistant styrene faced foamboard.
The Vaccine Transport System will provide safe and easy transport and retrieval of vaccine payload, maintaining a temperature of -75°C for over 72 hours without replenishing dry ice. The outer layer of the system is moisture resistant and sanitizable. All components are lightweight and can be shipped flat and assembled in the field without tools.
The Vaccine Transport System is a collaborative effort made possible by the teamwork of Gilman Brothers R&D, vendors, and raw material suppliers, with direct interaction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “Doing our part has always been in our company’s heritage.” says Ari Luna, Business Development Manager. “Having the support of the USACE is both proud and humbling.”
“We are not just a foamboard manufacturer. We are innovators, creators, thinkers, and problem solvers,” says Bill VanHorn, Director of Sales. “Providing hope and being part of the solution to save lives during these unprecedented times will go down as one of the major accomplishments for all involved.”
The Gilman Brothers Company Introduces Portable Vaccine Administration Station
JANUARY 26, 2021
The Gilman Brothers Company is once again responding with innovative and creative solutions in the battle against the global COVID-19 crisis. Latest in the company’s line up of essential products is a portable vaccine station constructed from Gilman’s INFINITY® UV resistant styrene faced foamboard.
The modular stations feature a moisture resistant, sanitizable surface which can be printed with specialized graphics or company branding. The interlocking system, which can be customized to size, allows for multiple units to be connected and set up in rows. All components are lightweight and can be shipped flat and assembled in the field without tools, to quickly and easily convert any space into a vaccination administration site.
“Simple solution for a complex problem,” says Bill VanHorn, Director of Sales. “We will continue engaging with all levels of the supply chain, driving innovation as our medical initiatives are rapidly expanding.”