Unifi, one of the world's leading innovators in recycled and synthetic yarns, has issued a statement saying it recognizes the hard work that its customers are doing in supplying critical products during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unifi supplies yarns and fibres to more than 100 companies that are producing the masks, gowns and other personal protective equipment needed by the US’ first responders, medical personnel and military.

“We have customers actively engaged in the fight against COVID-19,” said Tom Caudle, President & Chief Operating Officer of Unifi. "We’re proud that our company is playing a part in that fight by providing the fibre 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% polyester sourced from Unifi’s operations in Yadkinville, N.C.

“We’re honoured 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 fibre 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 fibre 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.

“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.

Source: Knitting Industry