In response to COVID-19, FERO International Inc. provides a solution to address the increased, changing and demanding needs of our healthcare system.

TORONTO, Oct. 22, 2020 /CNW/ – Canada’s healthcare system has been overwhelmed by COVID-19 with hospital bed shortages, outbreaks in long-term care homes and a backlog of surgeries. The pandemic has exposed how strained our system is and the need for flexibility and scalability in a moment’s notice. FERO International Inc. (FERO) is solving these critical issues by turning shipping containers into hard structure mobile medical units.

These state-of-the art units are scalable and can be plugged together in any outdoor or large indoor space with multiple combinations to add additional capacity for ICUs, operating rooms, long-term care, triage centres and other care needs. FERO is proud to be working with University Health Network (UHN) to assess the patented technology that can be transported via truck, ship, or train – across Canada, and beyond.

“We are leading the way for hard structure mobile medical units with everything needed to provide proper care, ranging from labs to long-term care beds to intensive care units and operating rooms,” said Sabrina Fiorellino, CEO and founder of FERO. “We are facing this pandemic together and the FERO team is thrilled to be working with UHN to evaluate the potential of our units to provide additional secured space to safely offer care without worry, when it is needed most.”

FERO’s breakthrough technology is proudly made in Ontario by Ontarians to support diverse health needs during critical times, such as hospitals, long-term care homes, military bases, correctional facilities and remote communities.

The innovative mobile units are temperature controlled with HEPA air filtration both in and out and medical-grade finishes to encourage infection control. The units’ unique ability to apply positive or negative pressure without compromising the airflow at the flip of a switch allows them to be repurposed as operating rooms or ICUs. The customizable units contain oxygen, suction, and medical gas lines, in addition to wireless communications for patients or residents to stay in touch with their family and cameras for health professionals to monitor them. They are fully winterized for tough Canadian weather.

While in development, FERO received input from key players across health care settings to understand patient and provider perspectives and needs. Consultations included meetings with doctors, nurses, surgeons, ICU teams, specialists such as respirologists and critical care nurses, as well as executive leadership and custodial staff.

“After providing in-depth counsel to FERO as the technology was in development, a team of UHN experts is excited to test the FERO mobile units through live simulations,” said Rebecca Repa, Executive Vice President of Clinical Support and Performance at UHN. “This is an important milestone as thought leaders across the health, technology and manufacturing industries collaborate to realize our shared vision of a nimbler healthcare system that can adapt during crises and pandemics.”

• Fero International Inc. to acquire AVL Manufacturing Inc., an established turnkey manufacturer with expertise in engineering, design, development and assembly of modular enclosures serving multiple customers and sectors throughout North America
• Combining Fero’s innovative technology and modular solutions with AVL’s engineering expertise and 30-year track record will enable Fero to rapidly scale by leveraging AVL’s existing engineers and intellectual property and secure control of facilities currently manufacturing Fero products

HAMILTON, ON, Oct. 14, 2021 /CNW/ – Fero International Inc. , a provider of innovative modular solutions across multiple sectors including healthcare, disaster relief, housing, aid and defence, has signed a non-binding letter of intent (“LOI”) to acquire AVL Manufacturing Inc. (“AVL”), a turnkey manufacturer, and Fero’s current Canadian manufacturer, with expertise in engineering, design, development and assembly of modular enclosures across multiple sectors, based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

The closing of the strategic acquisition will permit Fero to rapidly scale by leveraging AVL’s existing skilled labour and intellectual property and by securing control of facilities that manufacture Fero’s products. The acquisition also provides Fero with an immediate source of revenue through the continuing sale of AVL’s existing suite of products. The Company will also bolster its operational team by acquiring over 70 employees, including 15 engineers, enabling Fero to fulfill product orders faster.

“We are thrilled to welcome the talented team at AVL to Fero. With AVL’s bench strength and manufacturing facility, Fero is positioning itself to accelerate its ambitious global growth strategy,” said Sabrina Fiorellino, Fero’s Chief Executive Officer. “Combining the capabilities of Fero and AVL, including AVL’s engineering expertise and a 30-year track record of executing large scale projects, we move forward with a strengthened platform to meet the demand for specialized solutions in the global modular health care and infrastructure market.”

“The world needs innovative, cost-effective, practical solutions to quickly address major challenges and constraints in healthcare, indigenous and remote communities and areas hit hard by natural disasters.  This is where Fero, leveraging the additional experience of the AVL team, can lead the way,” said Vince DiCristofaro, Chief Executive Officer of AVL.

AVL – A Well Established Engineering, Manufacturing Platform and Patent Portfolio Serving a Diversified Customer Base Across North America

AVL brings diversified intellectual property, including a patent portfolio, complementing Fero’s intellectual property assets, and a strong base of existing customer contracts expected to add to Fero revenues in fiscal 2022. Based in Hamilton, Ontario, AVL has a 30-year track record of designing, manufacturing, and integrating various types of power generation, energy storage, cogeneration enclosures, custom modular and complex fabrications. Since 1998, AVL has established a diverse customer base across multiple industries including oil and gas, mining, power generation, automotive, automation, construction, emergency management and energy storage.  AVL works collaboratively with customers providing a full slate of services, including assembly, engineering, project management and single-source supply chain services.

About Fero International Inc.

Founded in 2020, Fero aims to improve lives through innovation in the development and deployment of rapid deployment modular infrastructure, medical technology solutions and disaster relief products. Its products are primarily intended to address circumstances of human crises, such as:

• health care capacity crises, through the offering of rapid deployment intensive care units, ward rooms, surgical operating theatres, long-term care homes, and portable diagnostic laboratories;
• national defence programs and disaster event crises, through the offering of safe shelters, electricity and HVAC failure solutions, portable clean water solutions, unmanned mobile modular fire detection and suppression devices and other rapid infrastructure expansion solutions to support the aid efforts government and non-governmental organizations;
• access to affordable and safe housing crises, through offerings of affordable modular housing for the homeless and displaced; and
• school capacity and air quality crises, through the offerings of portable classrooms and lavatories with integrated HVAC.

Fero prioritizes the adoption of good corporate governance practices to support sustainable building and manufacturing methods for Fero designed products. Fero aims to further improve lives by structuring its operations to address relevant environmental, social and economic improvement considerations.