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.  

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.  

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.

If you are a hospital, business or organization in need of face shields, please visit our site here.