March 24, 2020 35 Comments
An Announcement from the Flowfold Team
In these challenging times, we here at Flowfold have found ourselves in the position to adapt and be a part of the solution. As of this week, we have pivoted our business to make personal protective equipment (PPE) for hospitals and health care facilities in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Given the shortage of PPE in hospitals across the country, we have suspended production of our usual line of bags, packs, and related travel and everyday accessories, and switched to the production of Face Shields, a crucial piece of equipment that keeps health care workers safe during prolonged face-to-face or close contact with potentially infectious patients.
We have a flexible, technologically advanced factory, which includes a large, material cutting machine that usually allows us to rapidly prepare pieces of fabric for bags and wallets. Now, along with all our other machinery, it will help us produce large quantities of protective face shields for the health care workers fighting the virus.
Left: A Flowfold employee assembles face shields while taking precautions. Right: Our industrial cutting machine seen before a cutout of Maine state.
According to the CDC on Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations, “person-to-person transmission most commonly happens during close exposure to a person infected with COVID-19, primarily via respiratory droplets produced when the infected person coughs or sneezes.” Personal protective equipment is specifically designed to limit the danger of transmission to the men and women on the front line, our Health Care Providers (HCP). However, hospitals across the country are experiencing shortages of PPE, putting HCPs at great risk. Some hospital workers have resorted to using goggles, bandanas, and makeshift face masks and shields to protect themselves. As a manufacturer with the capability to quickly test and develop products, we knew this was an area in which we could step up and provide support.
“We felt the effects of the virus in our community and wanted to be a part of the solution,” says Devin McNeill, Flowfold’s Co-Founder. “Taking a look at our production capabilities, we found we could quickly pivot to manufacture face shields.”
As we have swiftly adapted our workspace and production process to produce these critical pieces of PPE, we've made sure to do so in a safe and low-risk manner. We cannot provide protective equipment to hospitals if our own team isn't kept safe and healthy. Sewing machines have been moved at least 6 feet apart, new, intensive cleaning schedules are in place to make sure our factory stays decontaminated, and our doors are effectively locked to keep the workspace as sterile as possible.
As we shift to producing protective shields, we've implemented precautions, such as gloves, face masks, and intensive sanitation processes.
Our first order of Face Shields is going out to MaineHealth this week. MaineHealth is one of Maine's largest health care providers, and has been integral in our shift to producing PPE for hospitals and other health care facilities.
“It is times like these when coming together as a community to support one another – individuals, non-profit organizations and business partners – reflects the very best of humanity,” says MaineHealth CEO Bill Caron. “Flowfold is one such example of how collaboration and innovation will help us navigate the challenges ahead as we address this unprecedented health care crisis together.”
We're proud to be a part of a community that comes together to face its challenges, no matter how unprecedented and daunting. While pivoting our business and production to making face shields means suspending initiatives such as our custom gear program and new product launches, we are ready to focus our resources and manufacturing expertise towards the fight against COVID-19. We're encouraging other local manufacturers who are interested in helping or sharing their resources to contact us.
As for our customers and ever-supportive Flowfold fans, you will still be able to order and receive products through our website. Now more than ever, your support of our business goes a long way in helping our team and community.
Thank you all, and stay safe out there.
- the Flowfold Team
If you are a hospital, business or organization in need of face shields, please visit our site here.
April 03, 2020
As a volunteer emergency medical technician in the Washington DC area who just got finished transporting a potential COViD-19 patient to an area hospital, THANK YOU!!! Together, we’ll get through this. Be smart, be safe.
March 29, 2020
As a RN I thank you!
March 26, 2020
Love your wallet. Appreciate that your company has stepped up to help fulfill the need for essential PPE. Blessings on you and all your employees.
March 26, 2020
So proud of you all! You have made me a loyal customer for life!
March 26, 2020
Way to go! Glad to see you guys are continuing to innovate. Keep up the good work.
March 26, 2020
This is the best article I have read this morning. I have a flowfold wallet, a flowfold duffle bag, a flowfold backpack, and a flowfold t shirt. I am so proud of what you are doing!! You are saving lives. I am a Flowfold booster forever!!!
March 26, 2020
I knew way back when I voted for you for Best New Product at the New England Products Show that you were special. I wear my Crossbody Bag and use my wallet with pride. Thank you.
March 26, 2020
Love your products and love this. Customer for life.
March 26, 2020
Well done. The news from your company is always impressive. Thanks for your investment in the community’s interest.
March 26, 2020
Thank you so much! So proud that my husband carries a flowfold wallet.
March 26, 2020
Thank you Flowfold, you’re such a wonderful company. Love your guiding principals as well as the cool products. Keep up the great work and stay safe!
March 26, 2020
Thank you, Flowfold! My colleagues in the hospitals and ambulatory care offices need all the help they can get regarding personal protective equipment. You are saving lives.
Your parents raised a great human being.
Thanks again.
March 26, 2020
Thank you for all your help and time in helping people be safe during this time….perhaps you will even come up with an innovative design for something new in your company during this time….
March 26, 2020
Fantastic – thank you for leading by example! True solidarity
March 26, 2020
You guys rock! So super proud of you. Thank you!
March 26, 2020
Thank you for putting your business on hold and doing this important work. Hopefully other companies will follow suit. Keep up the good work!
March 26, 2020
So glad to have purchased from your earlier this year so that I got this announcement. You are exemplary. All the best to you and your efforts. May everyone stay healthy.
March 26, 2020
Although the Covid-19 pandemic is wreaking unimaginable havoc across the globe, I just knew there would be opportunities for innovation like what Flowfold is doing. Whenever someone asks me about the Flowfold products I use, I will be proud to tell them this story. To everyone at Flowfold—designers, cutters, sewers, shippers, managers, owners—thank you so very much for rising to the challenge!!
March 26, 2020
Cream rises to the top!! Thank you FLOWFOLD..for rising to the occasion and stepping up for the world. Flowfold products are the best and now I know why! The individuals behind and working in that company are very creative as well as generous and caring.THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! in advance because the life you save might be one that I love….
March 26, 2020
So proud of you, Devin, and grateful for what you are doing!
March 26, 2020
Congratulations and a hardy “at-a-boy” pat on you and your great employee’s backs for this forward thinking reaction to this critical need.
March 26, 2020
Good for you! This is what our country is supposed to be all about! I will support you as best I can,, and pass the word to my friends. Thank you for caring for our healthcare workers. They give so much to us, and we truly rely on them.
March 26, 2020
Good for you👍
March 26, 2020
Your commitment to join this fight against Covid-19 is laudable! Thank-you!
March 26, 2020
Good for you all.
Carry on and stay well.
March 26, 2020
You make me proud to be a flowfold customer and long time supporter. How fortunate Maine is to call you one of our own.
March 26, 2020
Guys, this is awesome. Really well done. Stay safe!
March 26, 2020
I love you flowfold, thank you ❤️
March 26, 2020
Your efforts in pivoting your business to address the current dire situation surrounding COVID-19 is noble and very much appreciated.
Thank you for being such an awesome, and wholesome company.
March 26, 2020
Ditto ditto ditto to your first three people who commented. Fabulous example of repurposing, and with an incredibly critical mission. Thank you so much for your generosity.
March 26, 2020
Peaks Island is so proud of you! Thank you!!
March 25, 2020
Thank you for your efforts with fighting this virus. I just went online and bought a wallet as a thank you! Stay safe.
March 25, 2020
So proud of you guys! Can’t thank you enough!
March 25, 2020
Thank-you so much for utilizing you company’s technology to help keep our vital healthcare workers safe during the COVID-19 crisis.
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Kelly
April 20, 2020
Thank you Flowfold from the nurses at EMMC! We have been using your face shields in the COVID units in our hospital and we are beyond grateful for the way you have rallied around your Maine community to help protect our state!