A. Lava Switches to Sewing Masks

Please note: ISPA wants to hear about challenges and successes in supplying critical equipment needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you encounter government regulatory problems where we might be able to help, or if you have ideas on how ISPA can further assist the industry in its efforts to help, contact Grant Johnson, ISPA policy and government affairs, phone 571-635-6302, email gjohnson@sleepproducts.org. Find more information: ISPA COVID-19 Member Resources page

According to a March 27 story in the Chicago Tribune, industry supplier A. Lava & Son has heeded a call from Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois asking businesses to help produce necessary medical supplies in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chicago-based sewn cover and component supplier is now focused on converting excess sewing capacity to making protective masks.

Adam Lava
Adam Lava

“We’re lucky that we’re able to help out,” owner Adam Lava told the Tribune. “We’re very happy we can keep a lot of our employees off the unemployment line and in the factory working and that we’re helping anybody that needs the product. We have a lot of sewing machines and a lot of skilled people.”

The plant also is equipped to produce mattresses for area hospitals if needed.

Lava said his plant expects to sew masks at a rate of about 200,000 per week for three months. While they are not the N95 masks needed by medical personnel, the three-layer cotton masks which A. Lava will sew can prevent infected persons from spreading the virus.

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