Unifi, Inc., the large supplier of recycled and synthetic yarns, took some time to recognize the hard work that its customers are doing in supplying critical products during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unifi supplies yarns and fibers to more than 100 companies that are producing the masks, gowns and other personal protective equipment needed by our first responders, medical personnel and military.
“We have customers actively engaged in the fight against COVID-19,” said Tom Caudle, president and chief operating officer of Unifi. “We’re proud that our company is playing a part in that fight by providing the fiber they need.”
Unifi customer Contempora Fabrics, based in Lumberton N.C., normally supplies fabric for baseball uniforms this time of year, but this season’s fabric is shifting to the production of medical masks and gowns. The factory using Contempora’s fabric is located in Pennsylvania and is owned by sports gear producer, Fanatics. The repurposed fabric is 100 percent polyester sourced from Unifi’s operations in Yadkinville, N.C.
“We’re honored that our fabric is able to help the medical staff, first responders and military personnel who are putting their lives on the line every day to combat the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Ron Roach, president of Contempora Fabrics. “Only in the American textile industry will you find the ingenuity to solve a mask shortage with baseball uniform fabric. Thanks to Fanatics for their innovative vision, we’re just happy to be a part of the solution.”
Another Unifi customer, Phenix Engineered Textiles, based in South Carolina, supplies elastic strapping for face masks. Unifi supplies the fiber to Phenix Engineered Textiles, and the yellow yarn for the familiar yellow straps is dyed in Unifi’s dyehouse in Reidsville, N.C.
“We’ve had to ramp up production to keep up with the demand,” said Rod Grandy, CEO of Phenix Engineered Textiles. “Unifi is a vital part of our business, and it would be difficult to keep pace with heightened demand without such a reliable partner. U.S. manufacturers are often overlooked, but this local supply chain is precisely why we haven’t missed a beat.”
Unifi’s fiber is an essential ingredient in the production of hundreds of critical components and products including masks, gowns, sewing thread for gowns, sterile wipes, drapes and elastics for masks and face shields, said the company.
“We expect to continue to deliver critical products to our customers who are supplying the necessary fabrics and products to those most in need,” added Caudle. “I also want to recognize and thank our hard-working employees for their efforts, especially during these unsettling times.”
Unifi customers supplying critical products in the fight against COVID-19:
3M Company
American & Efird
Albahealth
Apex Mills
Artex Knitting Mills
Asheboro Elastics Corporation
Beocare, Inc.
Bossong Hosiery Mills Inc.
BSN Medical
Burlington Industries
California Webbing Mills
Cardinal Health
Carolon Company
Central Textiles Inc.
Clover Knits, Inc.
Coats
Cobmex Apparel Inc.
Conrad-Jarvis Corporation
Covidien/Cardinal Health
Coville Inc.
Cyberknit Fabrics
Deer Creek Fabrics Inc.
Duvaltex
Elastic Therapy Inc.
EME Company
ennio International
Evolution St. Louis
Fibrotex
Finger Lake Textiles
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Ltd.
Fox River Mills
Glen Raven Custom Fabrics
Hamrick Mills
Hanesbrands Inc.
Hickory Brands
Highland
Hologic Surgical Products
Hope Global
Ideal Fastener
Indogem Inc.
Inman Mills
Interstate
Jif Pak
Julius Zorn Inc.
Knit Rite Inc.
Lear Corporation
Leedon Webbing
Longworth
Ludlow Technical
Matchmaster Dyeing&Finishing
Medi Manufacturing
Medical Knitting Structures
Micronova Manufacturing Inc.
Milco Industries
Milliken & Company
Mitts Nitts Inc.
Mohawk Fabric Company Inc.
Monterey Mills
Murdock Webbing
Narroflex Inc.
North East Knitting Inc.
Neocorp
O&M Halyard
PPG Industries
Precision Fabrics Group
Phenix Engineered Textiles
PJY Intimo
Polartec
Porex Corporation
Precept Medical Products Inc.
Providence Braid Company
R&D Weaving
RBL Mills Inc.
Rentex Mills Inc.
Schneider Mills
Shamrod
Shawmut Corporation
Sigvaris Inc.
Stitch N Print Reflectives
Strauss Knitting
Stretch Products Corporation
Supreme Safety Inc.
Surgical Appliance Industries
Texcel Inc.
Textiles Monterey Inc.
Texwipe
The Moore Company
United Glove Inc.
Vintex Inc.
Wayne Mills Company Inc.
World Elastic Corporation
Worldwide Protective Products
Zen’s Manufacturing Inc.
Photo: Workers at Fanatics’ Majestic factory near Easton model one-use hospital masks and gowns made from Major League Baseball uniforms fabric after Pennsylvania shut down all but “essential” production to cut coronavirus transmission risk.
