A High Road Company’s Rapid Response to COVID-19: A Conversation with Marlin Steel President Drew Greenblatt

For decades, Baltimore’s Marlin Steel has adroitly combined a nimble  and innovative manufacturing production system with a commitment to  their forty associates – offering above average pay and benefits,  employee cross training, and sizable bonuses each pay period for meeting  and exceeding production goals. This good company/good job focus pays  off in dedicated workers, first-rate quality, happy customers, and  admirable growth. In recent weeks, their capacities proved up to an  enormous challenge to quickly produce vitally needed equipment to fight  against the COVID-19 virus. Drew Greenblatt, president and owner of Marlin Steel, spoke with EOP Executive Director Maureen Conway  about his company’s efforts in the midst of this crisis. Marlin Steel offers a model and good practices that many  manufacturing and other employers can aspire to emulate. During this  difficult era, they’ve put worker health first — implementing extensive  measures to distance, clean facilities and work stations, and screen —  while maintaining essential work to deliver essential equipment used in  the frontline response to the global pandemic. The Economic Opportunities Program’s Opportunity in America in-person discussion series is taking a pause as we all do what we can  to slow the spread of COVID-19. But the conversations about the changing  landscape of economic opportunity in the US and implications for  individuals, families, and communities across the country remain vitally  important. We hope you will participate as we bring our discussions to  you in virtual formats, and we look forward to your feedback. We are grateful to the Ford Foundation, Prudential Financial,  Walmart.org, the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, and the Surdna  Foundation for their support of Opportunity in America. Learn more at as.pn/opportunityinamerica. The Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy. We recognize that race, gender, and place intersect with and intensify the challenge of economic inequality and we address these dynamics by advancing an inclusive vision of economic justice. For over 25 years, EOP has focused on expanding individuals’ opportunities to connect to quality work, start businesses, and build economic stability that provides the freedom to pursue opportunity. Learn more at as.pn/eop.