Safe-Strap Company, a veteran-owned, manufacturer of child safety products founded in 1983, wants to be part of the effort to helps those fighting COVID-19.
So, the Fort Myers, Fla-based company, which produces a range of products for retail stores that enhances child safety, is sending a majority of its production workers home to manufacture face masks that will be produced entirely at no cost to health care facilities in need.
“All of our products over the years have been designed to help people, that’s why we were founded,” says Paul Giampavolo, founder of Safe-Strap in a statement. “So the decision to change over our production to help our great nation in a critical time of need was an easy one. The challenge was keeping our workers and their families safe at the same time.”
Sending skilled workers home, with the necessary machinery and materials to create masks in critical need allows workers to do production work at home that is normally done in a factory. Workers can remain productive at home, stay safe with their families, take care of their children and produce the masks that are in short supply, the company says.
The remaining workforce at Safe-Strap’s facilities can then be spaced apart at greater distances then recommended. Workers are now divided into very small teams that share a separate work area, eating area and bathroom, and the teams do not interact. In addition, there is one person that constantly disinfects all surfaces in the facility.
The only limitation is the production capacity. Having a majority of employees work from home instead of in the factory reduces the amount of masks that can be made, but the company realizes that the safety of their workers is equally important. Safe-Strap expects to make several thousands masks to donate, realizing that every mask counts.
“We were able to quickly get additional machines that are better suited for home use,” says Giampavolo. “Also, we are thankful for the donations of fabric and elastic we have received.”
The company credits its U.S-based workforce for its flexibility.” Our ability to pivot from restraints to masks could not have been accomplished without our stitchers, who have years of experience. Their dedication and can-do attitude, along with everyone in the company is amazing to witness.”
Hospitals and health care providers can order masks by emailing [email protected].