To address critical PPE supply shortages, team members at Plastatech Engineering Ltd., manufacturers of film, fabric and laminate solutions, have found a way to help. In conjunction with sister company, Duro-Last Inc., engineers, product development and manufacturing staff united to fabricate and manufacture isolation gowns and face masks, according to a recent press release from Plastatech.

Utilizing expertise in manufacturing flexible PVC and fabrics, the team went from prototype to production to delivery in one week. The gowns are made from flexible PVC making them water and fluid-repellant. The masks are made from polyester and PVC. Both are washable and reusable. 

“This is about helping health care professionals in any way we can and at the same time keeping people employed,” said Tom Saeli, CEO of Plastatech Engineering and Duro-Last Inc. “I am very proud of and impressed by the people within our companies who quickly developed these products. Our country is full of tremendously smart, entrepreneurial people who can bring timely solutions to this unprecedented need. The need is real and I believe it’s our obligation to act now. If our efforts inspire just one other company to join this fight, it will be worth it,” said Saeli.

Some 20,000 gowns and 4,000 face masks have been produced and distributed to healthcare facilities in the first 11 days of operation. “When we started talking about how we could help, our thinking was that we manufacture barriers that keep water out of buildings and contaminants out of the ground. How can we create a barrier that will protect someone from a disease?” said Shawn Sny, executive vice president of Plastatech. “We’re grateful we found a viable solution and can help out in a small way.” 

For more information on Plastatech, call 800-892- 9358 or visit www.plastatech.com.