Mattress industry supplier Culp Inc. has taken steps across its global manufacturing platform to increase production of face masks, bedding covers and fabrics for healthcare settings.
The High Point, North Carolina-based textile major is working with several companies to produce face masks for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. These nonmedical-grade, three-layer cotton masks are made in accordance with Food and Drug Administration standards and are sewn at the company’s Culp-Lava Applied Sewn Solutions facilities in North Carolina and Haiti.
Culp also produces and supplies similarly constructed face masks for consumers and healthcare workers through the company’s Culp Hospitality platform in Knoxville, Tennessee, and through its strategic partners in Vietnam, who now are sewing face masks, instead of upholstery fabric kits.
The CLASS facility in North Carolina and the company’s Asian partners also are sewing bedding covers and bedding fabrics used for hospital beds.
At its facilities in North Carolina and Canada, Culp is using its lamination and fabric finishing capabilities to assist other companies in producing other critical products for health care, including woven medical gowns.
In addition, its research and development team is working on developing other solutions for current and future personal protection equipment needs.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the world, I am extremely proud of our employees and strategic partners across our global platform for stepping up to assist in Culp’s relief efforts,” said Iv Culp, chief executive officer. “We are utilizing our production and sourcing capabilities in the United States, Haiti, Canada and Asia to supply much needed PPE for healthcare workers and the communities we serve, and to support numerous customer requests for bedding covers and mattress fabrics used for hospital beds. Our mattress fabrics and upholstery fabrics divisions are working cross functionally in these efforts and leveraging their resources to meet critical needs.
“Our plans are to produce at least one million face masks and to supply fabric and covers for tens of thousands of hospital mattresses over the next few months. The initiative to reprioritize some of our operations to produce PPE is not about profit, but rather to support our nation during this crisis while also keeping as many workers as possible employed. Culp associates are honored by the opportunity to pitch in and support our front-line workers, our healthcare operators, our communities, and our nation during this unprecedented time.”
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 [email protected]. Find more information: ISPA COVID-19 Member Resources page
