TEXTILES.ORG
Unifi supplies yarns and fibers to more than 100 companies that are producing masks, gowns and other personal protective equipment needed by first responders, medical staff and military personnel, a recent news release from the company says.
“We have customers actively engaged in the fight against COVID-19,” said Tom Caudle, president and chief operating officer of Unifi.
As examples, Contempora Fabrics, based in Lumberton, North Carolina, normally supplies fabric for baseball uniforms, 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, North Carolina.
Phenix Engineered Textiles, based in South Carolina, supplies elastic strapping for face masks. Unifi supplies the fiber to Phenix Engineered Textiles, and yellow yarn for straps is dyed in a Unifi dyehouse.
“We’ve had to ramp up production to keep up with the demand,” said Rod Grandy, CEO of Phenix Engineered Textiles. “This local supply chain is why we haven’t missed a beat.”
Caudle also expressed recognition and thanks to Unifi’s hard-working employees, “especially during these unsettling times.” Unifi Inc. is a global textile solutions provider and manufacturer of synthetic and recycled performance fibers.