Contract Magazine - June 2020 - 28

DESIGN IN ACTION

Designtex partnered with West Elm in the design, manufacturing, and
production of 13,000 cotton face masks at its Surface Imaging facility in Portland,
Maine. "The call for personal protective equipment in our healthcare communities
and in society in general is, to a great extent, a call for textiles to solve an urgent
problem," says Carol Derby, vice president, research and development. "Designtex
has deep in its culture a desire to work this way-to see our materials rise to the
challenges of the day, through thoughtful design. Also, longstanding in our history
is the choice to collaborate and co-create with trusted partners, to come
together to solve problems."
Doug Mockett is using its 3D printers and silicon molds to create shields fitted
with face shields, as well as mask extenders. In addition, the company enlisted
the help of a Mockett family member to make 1,000 additional cloth face masks.
"Individuals are adjusting to new challenges at home and at work, the company
is learning to pivot and understand the new climate in the industry, and we are all
collectively growing more frustrated and confused," says Billy Peele, marketing
manager. "But then when we take a step back and look at those among us who
are afflicted and those who are on the front lines dealing with this crisis head on,
it provides perspective."
HBF and other HNI Corp. companies are producing and donating PPE to first
responders, healthcare systems, and hospitals. HNI is using its factories in Iowa and
New York, as well as its HBF Hickory, North Carolina, facility, to meet local needs.
"Doing our part to help others has long been at the heart of the company's culture,"
says HBF President Dan Chong. "We have been a member of the Hickory community
for 40 years, and we are dedicated to supporting our local healthcare workers and
heroes." The HBF team estimates they are producing approximately 2,000 to 2,500
masks per week and donating them to local firefighters, healthcare workers
at a local hospice, and Novant Health.

More manufacturers lending a helping hand
Eventscape donated more than $50,000 worth of face shields to front-line workers.
Allsteel shifted manufacturing to support local communities by producing
and donating PPE to first responders, healthcare systems, and hospitals.
Teknion converted its manufacturing facilities into assembly spaces for isolation gowns.
Gunlocke shifted manufacturing at its Wayland, New York, facility to manufacture
washable masks and protective gowns.
Teknoflor was designated as a disaster recovery supplier by the General Services
Administration.
Landscape Forms assisted with the production and assembly of medical beds
for healthcare providers.
Knoll Office, Spinneybeck | FilzFelt, Knoll Product Development and Knoll
Textiles, and HOLLY HUNT produced hand-sewn masks at various production
facilities across the country.
Cerno Lighting produced more than 3,000 face shields that were donated
to California hospitals.

Room & Board's U.S. manufacturing partners have reopened as essential
businesses to keep producing PPE for donation. Participating partners include:
Open Works of Baltimore, Maryland; American Leather of Dallas, Texas; Precedent
Furniture of Newton, North Carolina; ADF of Ladysmith, Wisconsin; Redland Cotton
of Moulton, Alabama; Valdese Weavers of Valdese, North Carolina; McCreary
Modern of Newton, North Carolina; and Facture Goods of Chicago, Illinois. "My
husband is a doctor and many of our friends are nurses, support staff, other doctors
and nurses," says Aron Fischer, owner and maker, Fracture Goods. "I am so worried
about healthcare providers. I would like to use that energy to help."

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JUNE 2020
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Contract Magazine - June 2020

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