New Balance to Scale Its Production of Masks Amidst Coronavirus Pandemic
The brand aims to make 100,000 units per week by mid-April.
UPDATE (April 3, 2020): Less than a week ago, New Balance produced its first face mask prototype as part of its COVID-19 initiative to aid healthcare front liners in the United States. The sportswear label has now announced that its goal is to make up to 100,000 units weekly by mid-April at its Lawrence, Massachusetts and Norridgewock, Maine factories combined.
According to a press release issued by the brand, New Balance is simultaneously advancing its current design and materials used to “ideally meet FDA requirements and achieve a product that can be confidently used by frontline medical staff who require those criteria.” In terms of distribution, the company will be working with a “combination of direct medical facility coordination and communication at the Massachusetts and Maine state levels” to better understand where its masks best fit their “supply and demand needs.”
In addition, New Balance is also producing personal protective equipment including gowns, foot coverings, as well as other items. Learn more about the initiative via New Balance’s latest statement here.
ORIGINAL STORY (March 28, 2020): The global coronavirus pandemic has impacted countries unlike anything we’ve seen before, and many brands have begun to donate and use their factories to help support medical staff by producing protective gear and masks. The latest label to help out is footwear giant New Balance, who has dedicated its U.S. factories to develop and manufacture facial masks to the hospital community.
The lack of resources has been one of the biggest problems amidst the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, and in addition to its skilled work source creating supplies, New Balance has also donated $2 million USD to groups like Global Giving, No Kid Hungry, The Boston Resiliency Fund, Good Shepherd Food Bank in Maine and more organizations from New Balance’s bank of more than 60 grantees.
Other labels that have recently provided support include Apple, H&M and more. Take a look at New Balance’s post below, and head over to the website to learn more.
