Many manufacturing businesses have had to adapt during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Both necessity and demand spurred such changes, with both mom-and-pop soft goods companies and small businesses hustling to answer the call to supply Personal Protective Equipment in whatever capacity possible.

"Members started getting involved with PPE once the Covid-19 hit," Janelle Buerkley, division supervisor for Industrial Fabrics Association International(IFAI) said. "Government agencies, including the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), sent solicitations for a significant portion of the demand, which led to some member companies engaging with government contracts for the first time." 

 Many of the companies which are new to PPE stepped up by responding to a pressing need in a regional area. During the past few months, it was not uncommon for a company known for making shirts or socks to shift their efforts into making face masks for local hospitals, nursing homes, and essential workers.

 "It has been a learning curve for some as they had to learn the specifications and requirements for various PPE quickly, and understand the differences between medical and non-medical products. Companies are pivoting to PPE, while also maintaining primary product lines," Buerkley added. 

 To keep working spaces safe and sanitized, companies are scheduling periodic temperature checks, cleaning work surfaces and machines regularly, and adjusting work areas so employees work at acceptable social distances, traveling to job sites separately and telecommuting when possible.

 "Some companies are adjusting work schedules and shifts, so fewer employees are in at once," Buerkley said. "We're seeing businesses make barriers of all types to protect workers whether it is a wall divide or barrier between an employee and customer."

While much of the first wave of American made protective face masks were made with whatever fabric companies had on hand, a new wave of medical-grade face masks has finally begun a steady pace of mass production on domestic shores. Previous to the COVID-19 pandemic, the standard baby-blue face masks people purchased were made overseas in places like China. 

However, the disruption of the global trade and supply chain encouraged American-based soft-goods manufacturers such as CustomFab USA and others to acquire the necessary machinery and skills to manufacture medical grade 3Ply and N95 face masks national soil.  

With machines running at full-capacity to churn out face masks and keep pace with demand, both industrial manufacturing companies and mom-and-pop sewing and apparel shops are doing their best to ensure Americans are protected remain so well into the future. 

Information was also provided by Christine Gerrard of Industrial Fabrics Association International. For additional information, please visit ifai.com/covid-19.