Faced with a global pandemic and massive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shortages in the United States, three large textile companies banded together earlier this year to help fill the nation’s explosive demand for personal protective equipment (PPE).
The result was a fast response to PPE needs and an ongoing relationship that promises to help the country continue to meet growing demand for PPE across multiple sectors of the economy.
The collaboration included Merrow Manufacturing Inc., ColorWorks and Bolger & O’Hearn Inc.
Merrow Manufacturing is a high-tech cut and sew operation based in Fall River, Mass., typically used by fashion and textile brands to make hard and soft textile goods.
Bolger & O’Hearn (B&O), also based in Fall River, provided the high-powered durable water repellents designed to repel oil, water and blood when applied to PPE fabrics, as well as other textile chemistries needed to meet ASTM requirements for Levels 1, 2 and 3 for medical PPE. A bluesign system partner, B&O is also known for developing chemical products based on environmentally-compliant materials and technologies.
ColorWorks, located in Elizabethton, Tenn., took charge of the dyeing and finishing of millions of yards of fabric used to make the PPE.