Workers are hard at work in a workshop of Jiangsu Guangda Medical Materials Co, a Hai'an-based company that produces surgical masks and protective suits. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

In order to meet the high demand for surgical masks and protective suits, Jiangsu Guangda Medical Materials Co, located in Hai'an, Nantong, Jiangsu province, is accelerating production. 

There were initially only 36 workers on the production line, making it impossible for the company to keep up with soaring demand. Company managers, along with the local federation of trade unions, thus decided to recruit more skilled workers and double wages.  

Over 300 workers have now been on duty and the company is expected to produce a total of 500 protective suits and 30,000 surgical masks every day. 

According to Zhang Guangyu, manager of the company, daily production costs are now estimated at over 20,000 yuan ($2,861). He said he will spare no effort in the battle against the novel coronavirus pneumonia. 

The company had provided local medical institutions with more than 3,000 protective suits and 180,000 surgical masks by Feb 7.