Nestled within Winnipeg’s North Forge FabLab™, Win-Shield Devices is redefining personal protective equipment (PPE) through groundbreaking innovation and inclusivity. The company’s journey exemplifies how necessity, creativity, and access to the right resources can lead to transformative change.
From Prototype to Millions: The Birth of the C-Shield
In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Rob Ranson took action to address PPE shortcomings. Motivated by his daughter’s frontline work as an X-ray technician, he sketched the design for a full-coverage face shield. With North Forge FabLab’s CNC cutting and vacuum-forming equipment, the C-Shield prototype was completed in just three days. After obtaining a Health Canada Medical Device Establishment License (MDEL), Win-Shield Devices delivered four million units within nine months, even as global supply chains faltered.
Inclusive Innovation: A Breakthrough Respirator
In 2023, Win-Shield Devices won a federal ISED contract to develop an inclusive respirator tailored for Canada’s federal law enforcement officers. Designed for individuals with beards and religious head coverings, this groundbreaking device addresses a critical gap in protective gear. Awaiting certification, the respirator is poised to set a new standard in safety and inclusivity.
Building a Visionary Team
Under Rob’s leadership, Win-Shield Devices has grown into a team of 10 full-time employees spanning three provinces. Together, they have designed and patented an integrated ecosystem of 20 new devices set to launch in 2025.
"We have assembled a talented and engaged team who share my commitment to creating something special," says Rob Ranson, President of Win-Shield Devices. "It’s not just a business—it’s a mission."
Inspiration for Entrepreneurs
Win-Shield Devices demonstrates how vision, commitment, and collaboration can drive impactful innovation. Entrepreneurs can look to Rob Ranson and his team as proof that access to resources like the North Forge FabLab can turn ideas into reality.
Read the full article at Winnipeg Sun here.
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