One of the best things to see going on during such a dark time is the coming together of humans regardless of political views, race, religion or anything else that makes them different. People are helping those who need it, and it’s a beautiful sight to see. It would be very easy for the companies listed below to just sit back and worry about how Coronavirus is negatively impacting sales and other factors, but they’re going the extra mile to do anything to help.
Under Armour started manufacturing and assembling face masks, face shields and specially equipped fanny packs, and is also exploring fabricating hospital gowns for the statewide medical system. UA also began providing face masks to LifeBridge, a regional health care organization based in Baltimore. Additionally, Under Armour is discussing the need for supplies with Johns Hopkins Medicine, MedStar and other local medical institutions.
Immediate Pivot
Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of University of Maryland Medical System said, “We are incredibly grateful for Under Armour’s investment in our health care workers, patients, and each Marylander working hard to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Their willingness and ability to immediately pivot their manufacturing focus to help meet our personal protective equipment (PPE) needs will save lives. Under Armour is a model for corporate responsibility and their partnership is instrumental in Maryland’s success during this most critical time.”
New Balance produced 100,000 masks by mid-April at its Lawrence, MA and Norridgewock, ME factories, – all while making sure it continues to advance and experiment with face mask design and materials specifications to meet FDA requirements. In a press release New Balance said, “This is not a commercial opportunity. NB is pursuing break-even pricing and/or donations for the face mask. This initiative has kept many of our associates proudly engaged during this economic and public health crisis while our traditional retail customers are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
New Balance has also looked into producing other forms of PPE including gowns and foot coverings. 3D printing and prototype development is underway.
Do Our Part
“Nike’s innovation and manufacturing teams are exploring designs for PPE to support doctors and nurses and others on the front line of this outbreak,” Nike CEO John Donahoe said. “We know that this is a moment in society where the private sector has a major role to play. Companies like Nike need to do our part.”
“Without proper facial protection, healthcare workers are at a higher risk of contracting the virus, which could place substantial strain on the healthcare workforce in the months ahead,” says Miko Enomoto, M.D., Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine. “The full-face shields help protect healthcare workers’ faces, and also helps to prolong the length we can safely use a surgical or N95 mask. Nike’s generous response to the COVID-19 crisis helps to instill an added layer of confidence and support for healthcare workers, that we can safely carry out the jobs we were born to do.”
After donating more than $15 million in March, Nike’s donations have now surpassed $17.5 million. This includes a new pledge of $500,000 to New York City organizations to provide food, personal protective equipment and support for healthcare workers. Along with the donations, Nike’s factory-made PPE is now in use in the field providing protective equipment for more than 20 hospitals in Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon and Tennessee.
It’s a Long Shot
Julia Brim-Edwards, Senior Director at Nike Government and Public Affairs said, “‘A list of things money can’t buy – that’s what we called it. It was a list of personal protective equipment urgently needed to protect hospital workers. Because of the level of need and level of shortages, even if you had the money, you couldn’t buy it. And what the team at Oregon Health & Science University told us when they shared this with us was, we know this is a long shot. But anything you can do to help will save lives.”
Adidas tapped its longtime business partner Carbon to help create new PPE to service the healthcare professionals at the forefront of the pandemic. Carbon announced that it is producing more than 50,000 face shields a week after shifting all manufacturing efforts at its California facilities to make 3D-printed face shields. Fans of the Three Stripes may recognize the green-colored band on the face mask, as it is the same material used on some of the brand’s popular 3D-printed sneakers such as the Futurecraft 4D.
People on the front lines fighting this virus are heroes, but these companies – along with so many others – are doing so much to help those in the healthcare field be those heroes. The countless extra hours it takes to make these products shouldn’t go unnoticed. It’s amazing to see what can happen when everyone comes together.
Written by Jacob Lenzendorf 48.2 | 11.6
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