Aramark To Manufacture Essential Protective Gear To Support COVID-19 Response

PHILADELPHIA — April 13, 2020 — Philadelphia-based Aramark, keeping with its 84-year history of answering the call for assistance in times of need, today announced its Uniform Services division has redeployed production lines in order to manufacture essential personal protective equipment (PPE) for the heroes working in hospitals and in other critical roles across the United States.

Aramark, a global leader in food, facilities management and uniforms, converted its uniforms manufacturing plants, which ordinarily produce lab coats, work shirts, pants, and coveralls, to produce respirator and medical masks, scrubs and isolation gowns. In just one week, Aramark converted its facilities to design the products, re-engineer and configure the production lines, and train employees on fabricating the new products.

Once fully operational, Aramark expects to produce millions of masks, scrubs and isolation gowns. The first shipment of scrubs and isolation gowns was delivered to clients last week. Production of respirator and medical masks is scheduled to begin by mid-July.

“As the country pulls together to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, we are pleased to be able to assist the brave frontline workers who need it most,” said John Zillmer, Chief Executive Officer, Aramark. “It’s this selfless passion for service that defines our Company and we are proud to do our part during this extraordinary time.”

The garments and gear will be shipped from Aramark manufacturing plants in Mexico to clients across the United States in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and other vital industries where employees rely on these supplies to perform their jobs.

Helping assist with the shortage of supplies is a continuation of efforts Aramark has undertaken throughout this unprecedented public health crisis.

Aramark partnered with the Debra and Leon Black Family, the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, Robin Hood and the American Red Cross to launch “NYC Heroes Fund” and provide 300,000+ packages of shelf-stable food, household cleaning and personal care products, as well as over-the-counter medicine to NYC hospital staff on the front lines combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, alleviating the burden of having to shop for themselves and their families.

In the communities where Aramark serves, employees have banded together at hospitals, schools and other facilities, providing safe and hygienic meals, uniforms, refreshments and facility services. To date, Aramark has donated over 110,000 pounds of food to local organizations and continues to serve free and reduced meals to over 215 schools during the pandemic.

At healthcare facilities across the country, Aramark opened on-site ‘pop-up’ grocery stores to serve as a one-stop shop for doctors, nurses and other hospital staff to grab necessities, such as bread, milk, eggs and toilet paper, on their way home.

Aramark has mobilized its emergency relief and large scale event expertise to aid temporary field hospital operations in various cities.

Posted April 13, 2020

Source: Aramark

Saving Livelihoods And Lives: YPO Members Launch Manufacturing Coalition To Streamlined U.S. Supply Chain To Meet Coronavirus Healthcare Needs

WASHINGTON — April 13, 2020 — The nation, and world, are facing huge uncertainty due to the COVID-19 global pandemic and some of the most dire needs include medical devices, products, supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for essential workers. Manufacturing Coalition represents hundreds of manufacturing companies nationwide, who have come together to offer these imminently demanded resources and services to help the U.S. during this time of crisis.

The global leadership community of YPO is made up of over 29,000 chief executives who are driven by the belief that the world needs better leaders. Each of the members have achieved significant leadership success at a young age, these are leaders who want to become better leaders and better people through peer learning and exceptional experiences and operate already as an inclusive community that is built on trust. Key leaders from within the organization stepped up early this week and have worked tirelessly to coordinate a trusted supply chain to U.S. companies in a time of need to supply much needed PPE.

“We are American entrepreneurs, we have manufacturing capabilities, we want to help and we know how to help,” said Manufacturing Coalition Lead Shirish Pareek. “This coalition represents over 200 manufacturers located in 30 states. We are uniting to solve the COVID-19 supply challenges and by doing so we are not only saving lives but saving livelihoods.”

Given a drastic decrease in exports from select countries combined with a huge increase in demand due to the global outbreak, manufacturers of PPE are reporting challenges in meeting order demands. The members of the Manufacturing Coalition are united Americans of states, joining forces to combat supply chain issues and create long term nearshoring solutions while meeting the short term need of maintaining the U.S. workforce. The alliance aims to combine the expertise and knowledge within the manufacturing members to support the public and private sectors in their efforts to mitigate against the COVID-19 spread and assist essential workers who are in dire need of PPE.

Meeting this demand head on, a vast majority of coalition members can pivot their production lines to create COVID-19 related products and supplies such as N95 masks, disposable gloves, sanitizing gels and liquids, ventilators and ventilator housings, COVID-19 testing kits, aluminum components for blood analysis tools, and more in less than seven days and begin distribution as needed at a fair cost. This swift transition is possible because members have diverse manufacturing capabilities including: Metal/Pre-Fabrication, Food and Beverage, Medical device manufacturing, Clothing and Textile, Injection Molding, Petroleum, Chemicals, Plastics, Transportation and Supply Chain, Paper and Wood and 3D printing. While some members produce finished goods, others supply much needed components and raw materials.

As the COVID-19 global pandemic continues to spread, resources are becoming increasingly limited and those on the frontline such as physicians, nurses, emergency responders, food service workers, security, and any other professional who directly or indirectly supports patient care face high risks of becoming infected themselves.

“As business leaders, we have asked ourselves how we can support efforts to contain COVID-19, and address avenues to help protect both patients and frontline workers, while keeping Americans employed,” said Pareek. “Pivoting our product lines with speed and agility to create efficient supply chain connections amongst coalition members is our solution.”

Posted April 13, 2020

Source: Manufacturing Coalition

Georgia-Based Textile Supplier, Canvas ETC, Donates Masks To Local Healthcare Workers

AUBURN, Ga. — April 13, 2020 — Canvas ETC, a textile supplier and e-commerce business, has donated thousands of face masks to area doctors, clinics and hospitals.

Nik Narwani, spokesperson for the company, shared: “We source fabrics domestically and from all over the world. Because we have built up goodwill with manufacturers, we were able to put those relationships to good use. Our company wants to give our community’s healthcare workers every chance to help us beat this virus safely.”

Like in so many cities all over the United States, Atlanta and suburban healthcare facilities are struggling to prepare for the possible influx of COVID-19 patients. Responding to the need for personal protective equipment (PPE), Canvas ETC distributed thousands of face masks to Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, and other local clinics.

“I think we all recognize the need to support the most vulnerable essential workers in this fight: our healthcare workers,” Narwani adds. “Canvas ETC will continue helping our community in any way we can.”

Posted April 13, 2020

Source: Canvas ETC

Arris Composites Secures $48.5 Million Series B To Accelerate Mass Production Of High-Performance Carbon Fiber Products

BERKELEY, Calif. — April 10, 2020 — Arris Composites, the pioneer of next-generation composites, today announced $48.5 million in series B funding. Arris will be expanding its proprietary composite manufacturing capabilities and opening facilities in the U.S. and Taiwan, the latter to serve the demand of the consumer electronics industry.

The round was led by Taiwania Capital with participation from return investor New Enterprise Associates (NEA), which led Arris Composites’ $10 million Series A round in January 2019, alongside Valo Ventures and Alumni Ventures Group (AVG).

Carl Bass, former Autodesk CEO, will join the board of directors as an independent board member. Bass has been involved with Arris since 2017 as an angel investor, advisor and research collaborator while the company incubated in his personal machine shop.

“Since we began working with Arris Composites in 2018, we’ve been impressed with the maturation of their manufacturing technology and the intense interest and enthusiasm we’ve seen from top brands in the consumer, automotive, aerospace and other industries in leveraging Arris’ manufacturing methods for next-gen, not-yet-released products,” explains Greg Papadopoulos, venture partner, NEA and former chief technology officer, Sun Microsystems. “High-performance composites that can be mass-produced in new ways hold incredible promise for all kinds of products.”

Carbon Fiber Products for the Masses

Founded in 2017, Arris Composites enables the mass-production of high-strength and light-weight composite parts through its proprietary Additive Molding™ manufacturing technology. With this new process, advanced carbon fiber materials can be produced at the same speed as plastic molded products. To unlock the potential for customers, Arris has developed unique tools for in-house design collaboration and application engineering teams. Now customers can design and produce previously impossible products that are highly integrated and stronger and lighter than metals.

A Design Revolution Across Multiple Commercial Markets

Arris Composites’ technology has wide applications across multiple markets where new product designs and architectures are now possible. Customers in consumer, automotive, industrial, aerospace, and transportation industries are advancing programs to take advantage of the revolutionary capabilities to make products lighter, stronger and smarter. Industrial and automotive applications seek corrosion-proof, high-strength and durable glass fiber and carbon fiber structures. And top consumer and sporting goods brands are seeking new commercial advantages by elevating product performance and differentiation.

The fastest-growing market for Arris Composites is consumer electronics, where next-gen devices are being designed to be lighter, smaller and smarter. With a short product refresh cycle and fast pace of innovation, a portable electronic device is likely to be the first Arris manufactured product available to the public.

“When NEA introduced us to Taiwania Capital it was clear they had deep manufacturing expertise, as well as a track record scaling up new high-volume consumer electronics technologies,” said Ethan Escowitz, CEO and Founder of Arris Composites. “The alignment of our organizations was immediately evident and I knew they were an ideal partner to assist in scaling-up production for our consumer electronics customers.”

“What made Arris Composites appealing to us is their ability to make consumer electronics products that were simply not possible with previous manufacturing technologies,” said Huang Lee, managing partner at Taiwania Capital and Arris Composites Board Member. “Despite major advances in the electronics within portable devices, the structures have not changed very much, until Arris.”

Recyclable Composites

Composites have a history of major reductions in fuel consumption due to their light weight; however, recyclability has been a problem. Arris Composites employs a new generation of recyclable composites and has developed a novel method of designing products with the end in mind so the waste stream from today’s products becomes the feedstock for future products.

Posted April 13, 2020

Source: Arris Composites

Bolger & O’Hearn Sees Escalating Demand For High Powered Durable Water Repellents For Medical Textiles In Response To COVID-19 Pandemic

FALL RIVER, Mass. — April 13, 2020 — Bolger & O’Hearn, known for developing innovative specialty chemicals for the global textile industry, is seeing brisk demand for the company’s high-powered durable water repellents (DWRs) in connection with COVID-19 and the growing call for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other medical textiles.

This includes DWR’s used in the production of medical masks, gowns, bed coverings, hospital room drapes and more.

“In particular, we are seeing a high demand for Stormproof/Breathable OmniBloq™, a DWR we developed for high-end performance apparel brands that surpasses industry standards for water and soil repellence,” said Kelly Murphy, co-president of Bolger & O’Hearn.

OmniBloq provides resistance to fluid penetration, splatter and soils and a higher level of barrier protection for both woven and nonwoven textiles than standard industry DWR’s.

Bolger & O’Hearn has been developing high-performance DWR’s and other specialty coatings since 1969 and has a proven portfolio of more than 2,500 products. Its experienced technical staff and R&D lab is known for providing rapid proof of concept evaluation and transition to commercialization and fully committed to working on projects related to fighting this devastating, global pandemic, Murphy added.

Bolger & O’Hearn has been designated an essential service by the state of Massachusetts, the U.S. department of Defense and Homeland Security. Its offices, R&D labs and manufacturing operations are remaining open as the company provides brands and textile manufacturers with the chemistries they need to make PPE and other textile end products essential to fighting COVID-19.

Bolger & O’Hearn is known and respected throughout the industries it serves as a trusted partner and developer of innovative, highly-effective chemical products. A bluesign system partner, B&O is also known for developing chemical products based on environmentally-compliant materials and technologies. Most of its chemistries are water-based, and Bolger & O’Hearn strives to continually improve the health, safety and environmental profiles of the chemistries it develops.

Posted April 13, 2020

Source: Bolger & O’Hearn

NASA Looks To University Teams To Advance Aviation Technology

WASHINGTON — April 10, 2020 — NASA has selected five teams led by university faculty and students to examine a range of technical areas in support of the agency’s aeronautics research goals.

Known as the University Leadership Initiative (ULI), the project will provide a total of $32.8 million to the five teams during the next four years.

“Each of these teams is working on important problems that definitely will help break down barriers in ways that will benefit the U.S. aviation industry,” said John Cavolowsky, director of NASA’s Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program in Washington.

This is the third time NASA Aeronautics has reached out to the academic community in this way. Five teams were selected in 2017 and three teams announced in 2019.

Unlike other NASA-funded research programs in which the agency specifies the project goals, universities are asked to come up with a compelling investigation, so long as that technical challenge addresses one of the strategic research thrusts of NASA.

Another key goal of ULI is for the student researchers involved to gain experience in leading a multidisciplinary team made up of partners from other universities and industry, especially representing those who traditionally have not applied their skills to aviation problems.

“We’ve also sought to emphasize inclusion of universities that serve underrepresented student populations and I think we’ve been successful this year in achieving that goal,” said Koushik Datta, ULI project manager at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley.

For the first time, a ULI team will be led by a historically black university, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University in Greensboro. Moreover, team leader Oklahoma State University in Stillwater is known for graduating the most Native American students of any school in the nation.

The five team leaders and their research topics are:

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University

The team seeks to develop a novel integration of secure and safe autonomous systems used on unmanned Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft with the goal of advancing their technical readiness level and be ready for industry to consider using these technologies. The team intends to validate these systems with flight tests of multiple aircraft.

The team will receive $8 million over four years. Team members include Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.; Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta; Aurora Flight Sciences in Manassas, Va.; Alaka’i Technologies Corp. in Hopkinton, Mass.; General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in Poway, Calif.; and Northrop Grumman Corp. in Linthicum, Md.

Oklahoma State University

The team will look for ways to improve real-time weather forecasting of low-level winds and turbulence in both rural and urban environments with an eye to improving safety for Unmanned Aircraft Systems flying in AAM operations.

The team will receive $5.2 million over four years. Team members include the University of Oklahoma in Norman; University of Nebraska Lincoln; University of Kentucky in Lexington; National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo.; Vigilant Aerospace Systems Inc. in Oklahoma City; AirXOS, part of GE Aviation, in Boston; and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

Stanford University

The team will seek to develop tools that ensure machine learning in autonomous systems used by unmanned AAM aircraft work as expected in real-time, as well as to employ fault detection and recovery methods if they do not, particularly in situations involving taxiing, landing and collision avoidance.

The team will receive $8 million over four years. Team members include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge; Georgia Tech in Atlanta; University of New Mexico in Albuquerque; Hampton University in Hampton, Va.; University of California, Berkeley, Calif.; MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, Mass.; and United Technologies Research Center Inc. in Berkeley.

University of Delaware

Using a composite supply method already developed under a Defense Advanced Research Project Agency program, the team plans to demonstrate the ability to produce aerospace-quality components at a rate comparable to that of the automotive industry.

The work supports a NASA research goal to find ways to help manufacturers increase the rate at which they can produce hardware using composite materials.

The team will receive $5.9 million over four years. Team members include Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, La.; Joby Aviation in Santa Cruz, Calif.; Spirit AeroSystems Inc. in Wichita, Kan.; Advanced Thermoplastic Composites Manufacturing in Post Falls, Idaho; American Composite Manufacturers Association in Arlington, Va.; Arkema Inc. in King of Prussia, Pa.; and SGL Carbon in Charlotte, N.C.

University of South Carolina

The team seeks to develop tools and technology to help better understand and safely use a composite tape made of thermoplastic in designing and manufacturing parts for an AAM vehicle. Two structural parts typical of an AAM vehicle — a fan blade and airframe shell component — will be designed and built to demonstrate the technology.

The team will receive $5.7 million over four years. Team members include the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg; Boise State University in Boise, Idaho; Benedict College in Columbia, S.C.; The Boeing Company in Chicago; Joby Aviation in Santa Cruz, Calif.; Toray Advanced Composites USA in Morgan Hill, Calif.; Ingersoll Machine Tools Inc. in Rockford, Ill.; Smart Tooling in Xenia, Ohio; C. A. Litzler Co. Inc. in Cleveland; Schrӧdinger in New York City; and Collins Aerospace in Melbourne, Fla.

A fourth round of ULI request for proposals is anticipated to be announced soon. An online virtual workshop for interested participants is currently scheduled for Thursday, April 30.

Posted April 11, 2020

Source: NASA

Fabletics Partners With Kevin Hart To “Fix What’s Wrong With Men’s Activewear” By Creating Fabletics Men

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — April 10, 2020 — Fabletics, the innovative activewear brand launched by TechStyle Fashion Group in 2013, today introduced Fabletics Men, a new activewear label with a singular mission to “cater to guys that the older performance brands have left behind.”

Fabletics Men is headlined by actor, comedian and businessman Kevin Hart, who is collaborating on a foundational level with TechStyle. Their mission: offer a curated, high-performance, confidently-cool line designed to make men feel “they’ve finally got an activewear company that’s 100 percent in their corner.”

“The activewear space wants to intimidate,” says Hart. “To get you to spend way too much cash on complicated tech you don’t need. On overpriced labels. On streetwear that tries too hard to be cool.

“But at Fabletics Men? We’re going to give you exactly what you want at a price that won’t scare the hell out of you.”

TechStyle Co-CEO and Co-Founder Don Ressler “looked to Kevin to provide a true guiding vision and voice for Fabletics Men. He’s the DNA for the entire brand.

“Kevin called out the problem: a lot of older performance labels pressure you to be something you’re not. Fabletics Men works 24-7 to provide gear that works for the wearer – not the other way around.”

For Fabletics Men, arriving as a newcomer in the men’s activewear space demanded a groundbreaking, problem-solving approach. That meant performing exhaustive research across a wide range of prospective members to identify a list of true pain points within the category.

Co-CEO and Co-Founder Adam Goldenberg emphasizes that TechStyle’s “flexible membership-based business model mandates a truly connective relationship with our customers. We do a lot of listening. Because we can’t think of our members as one-time customers. Our brands are active communities.

“TechStyle’s brands succeed because we strive to innovate based on direct asks from our members.”

The result: a true problem-solving brand. Fabletics Men dials up performance and design while removing the guesswork and anxiety that accompanies the everyday shopping experience.

Fabletics Men aims to succeed by “obsessively focusing” on four bedrock areas: fit, function, feel and style.

At the same time, the pieces are also designed to provide a high-level aesthetic cohesion that styles you throughout your day. Fabletics Men looks to give its members gear that can stand alone and stand out, while existing within a broader design framework.

Fabletics Men will offer a curated line of foundational layers, high-performance activewear tops and bottoms, pre and post workout pants, joggers, hoodies, and crewneck sweatshirts. The brand will be sold at Fabletics.com as well as in all 40 Fabletics retail locations across the country.

One of the world’s fastest growing global activewear brands, Fabletics has surpassed more than $400 million in annual revenue with over 1.5 million active members. According to Ressler, “Fabletics Men marks a transformational milestone for the brand at large.”

Excitement and demand for Fabletics Men is already at unprecedented levels unseen in TechStyle history. Its initial beta run of product completely sold out and there is now a quickly growing waitlist to shop the All-Access Launch in late April.

The brand is placing particular emphasis on developing and cultivating “The Crew”; the fast-growing Fabletics Men community. “The Crew” is built on charitable giving, wellness strategies and community outreach. The goal: build a thriving community known for positivity, warm humor and emotional encouragement.

And as millions adjust to life during the COVID-19 pandemic, Fabletics Men is moving to deliver aid to those in need. Through the end of May, 20 percent of Fabletics Men’s net proceeds will go to Heart to Heart International, pledging at least $50,000 to help distribute urgently needed equipment and medication to partners in the U.S. and around the world.

“Every man is going to want to put our ‘F’ on his chest,” says Hart. “Because it’s going to stand for the best damn activewear — period. But that ‘F’ will also stand for something bigger. That ‘F’ says that someone has got your back.”

Posted April 10, 2020

Source: Fabletics

Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fibre Co. (YCFC) Launches Its First Meltblown Nonwoven Production Line

YIZHENG, Jiangsu Province— April 9, 2020 — Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fibre Co. (YCFC) successfully launched its first meltblown nonwoven production line on March 29 in Yizheng, Jiangsu province, which was manufactured by Shaoyang Textile Machinery Co, affiliated to Sinomach’s subsidiary China Hi-Tech Group Corp. (CHTC). Shaoyang Textile Machinery succeeded in reducing the lead time to a month and delivered the production line 13 days earlier than the date required by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC).

As the filter layer of a surgical mask, the meltblown nonwoven material is an essential raw component in mask production. Mask production lines are expanding rapidly across the country as an urgent part of pandemic prevention and control, and a large number of manufacturers are facing a shortage of raw materials. Shaoyang Textile Machinery rose to the challenge and undertook supply of YCFC’s 12 meltblown nonwoven production lines.

After the company signed the supply agreement with YCFC on Feb 25 it took a series of effective measures to push forward the work and successfully ensured the YCFC’s first meltblown nonwoven production line would start on March 29.

When all 12 meltblown nonwoven production lines are operational YCFC will have a daily output of 12 tons of N95 meltblown nonwoven or 18 tons of surgical mask materials, and be able to increase production of disposable surgical masks by 18 million pieces a day.

Shaoyang Textile Machinery is a leading enterprise in developing and manufacturing melt-blown and spunbonded nonwoven equipment in China. It has developed and produced 300 pieces of such equipment, which have been exported to more than a dozen countries and regions, with great market effect in the industry. At present, the company has received 37 orders for non-woven equipment from enterprises such as China National Petroleum Corp. and China Petrochemical Corp. as well as various countries, including India and Uzbekistan.

Posted April 9, 2020

Source: Sinomach

Delta Galil Joins Fight Against COVID-19 By Producing More Than 1.5 Million Face Masks

TEL AVIV, Israel — April 9, 2020 — Delta Galil Industries Ltd. — a global manufacturer and marketer of branded and private label apparel products for men, women and children, as well as leisurewear, activewear and denim — is helping ensure that European governments and emergency service personnel have the protective face masks they need as they work to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Delta European Brands subsidiary Schiesser will produce more than 1 million masks in total for the Czech and Slovakian governments and a German protective equipment company. The company’s Eminence subsidiary in France has begun providing face masks to local emergency services personnel and will be producing 400,000 masks per month to meet the needs of police and fire departments, the French military, and NGOs and social services organizations that help the most vulnerable in France.

“Our subsidiaries in Europe have rapidly reengineered production lines to help alleviate the shortage of face masks that governments and emergency services providers are facing in the midst of this crisis,” said Isaac Dabah, CEO of Delta Galil. “In cooperation with our local supply partners in Europe and other industry colleagues, we’re able to increase production capacity to produce hundreds of thousands of urgently needed masks each month, answering the call from country leaders, fire departments, hospitals, police departments and the French Army, among others. We couldn’t be more humbled to be able to quickly produce items to help protect those on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 in cooperation with our suppliers and industry colleagues.”

Schiesser and Eminence recently retrofitted selected factories to produce reusable fabric face masks that are machine washable. The move was initially intended to help ensure the safety of employees who continue to work on-site, but the companies quickly expanded production capacity to provide masks to emergency service personnel in the field as well as to the governments of other countries in Europe. In addition to fulfilling orders for masks from various organizations, Eminence is also donating hundreds of masks to charities serving citizens in need and to police stations, hospitals and fire departments. Delta Galil will also be producing masks in its facilities in Thailand to meet the needs of local security and medical personnel in that country.

Posted April 9, 2020

Source: Delta Galil Industries

Unifi Recognizes Customers Supplying The Frontlines In The Fight Against COVID-19

GREENSBORO, N.C. — April 9, 2020 — Unifi Inc. recognizes the hard work that its customers are doing in supplying critical products during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unifi supplies yarns and fibers to more than 100 companies that are producing the masks, gowns and other personal protective equipment needed by our first responders, medical personnel and military.

“We have customers actively engaged in the fight against COVID-19,” said Tom Caudle, president & COO of Unifi. “We’re proud that our company is playing a part in that fight by providing the fiber they need.”

Unifi customer, Contempora Fabrics, based in Lumberton N.C., normally supplies fabric for baseball uniforms this time of year, but this season’s fabric is shifting to the production of medical masks and gowns. The factory using Contempora’s fabric is located in Pennsylvania and is owned by sports gear producer, Fanatics. The repurposed fabric is 100 percent polyester sourced from Unifi’s operations in Yadkinville, N.C.

“We’re honored that our fabric is able to help the medical staff, first responders, and military personnel who are putting their lives on the line every day to combat the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Ron Roach, president of Contempora Fabrics. “Only in the American textile industry will you find the ingenuity to solve a mask shortage with baseball uniform fabric. Thanks to Fanatics for their innovative vision, we’re just happy to be a part of the solution.”

Another Unifi customer, Phenix Engineered Textiles, based in South Carolina, supplies elastic strapping for face masks. Unifi supplies the fiber to Phenix Engineered Textiles, and the yellow yarn for the familiar yellow straps is dyed in Unifi’s dyehouse in Reidsville, N.C.

“We’ve had to ramp up production to keep up with the demand,” said Rod Grandy, CEO of Phenix Engineered Textiles. “Unifi is a vital part of our business, and it would be difficult to keep pace with heightened demand without such a reliable partner. U.S. manufacturers are often overlooked, but this local supply chain is precisely why we haven’t missed a beat.”

Unifi’s fiber is an essential ingredient in the production of hundreds of critical components and products including masks, gowns, sewing thread for gowns, sterile wipes, drapes and elastics for masks and face shields.

“We expect to continue to deliver critical products to our customers who are supplying the necessary fabrics and products to those most in need,” added Caudle. “I also want to recognize and thank our hard-working employees for their efforts, especially during these unsettling times.”

Unifi customers supplying critical products in the fight against COVID-19:

  • 3M Co.;
  • American & Efird;
  • Albahealth;
  • Apex Mills;
  • Artex Knitting Mills;
  • Asheboro Elastics Corp,;
  • Beocare Inc.;
  • Bossong Hosiery Mills Inc.;
  • BSN Medical;
  • Burlington Industries;
  • California Webbing Mills;
  • Cardinal Health;
  • Carolon Co.;
  • Central Textiles Inc.;
  • Clover Knits Inc.;
  • Coats;
  • Cobmex Apparel Inc.;
  • Conrad-Jarvis Corp.;
  • Covidien/Cardinal Health;
  • Coville Inc.;
  • Cyberknit Fabrics;
  • Deer Creek Fabrics Inc.;
  • Duvaltex;
  • Elastic Therapy Inc.;
  • EME Co.;
  • ennio International;
  • Evolution St. Louis;
  • Fibrotex;
  • Finger Lake Textiles;
  • Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Ltd.;
  • Fox River Mills;
  • Glen Raven Custom Fabrics;
  • Hamrick Mills;
  • Hanesbrands Inc.;
  • Hickory Brands;
  • Highland;
  • Hologic Surgical Products;
  • Hope Global;
  • Ideal Fastener;
  • Indogem Inc.;
  • Inman Mills;
  • Interstate;
  • Jif Pak;
  • Julius Zorn Inc.;
  • Knit Rite Inc.;
  • Lear Corp.;
  • Leedon Webbing;
  • Longworth;
  • Ludlow Technical;
  • Matchmaster Dyeing & Finishing;
  • Medi Manufacturing;
  • Medical Knitting Structures;
  • Micronova Manufacturing Inc.;
  • Milco Industries;
  • Milliken & Company;
  • Mitts Nitts Inc.;
  • Mohawk Fabric Company Inc.;
  • Monterey Mills;
  • Murdock Webbing;
  • Narroflex Inc.;
  • North East Knitting Inc.;
  • Neocorp;
  • O&M Halyard;
  • PPG Industries;
  • Precision Fabrics Group;
  • Phenix Engineered Textiles;
  • PJY Intimo;
  • Polartec;
  • Porex Corp.;
  • Precept Medical Products Inc.;
  • Providence Braid Co.;
  • R&D Weaving;
  • RBL Mills Inc.;
  • Rentex Mills Inc.;
  • Schneider Mills;
  • Shamrod;
  • Shawmut Corp.;
  • Sigvaris Inc.;
  • Stitch N Print Reflectives;
  • Strauss Knitting;
  • Stretch Products Corp.;
  • Supreme Safety Inc.;
  • Surgical Appliance Industries;
  • Texcel Inc.;
  • Textiles Monterey Inc.;
  • Texwipe;
  • The Moore Co.;
  • United Glove Inc.;
  • Vintex Inc.;
  • Wayne Mills Co. Inc.;
  • World Elastic Corp.;
  • Worldwide Protective Products; and
  • Zen’s Manufacturing Inc.

Posted April 9, 2020

Source: Unifi, Inc.

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