Respected outdoor brands Goal Zero, Petzl, and DPS skis, along with textile manufacturing machinery brand Eastman Machine combined forces to produce medical-grade face shields for the Utah Department of Health. All these brands, except for Eastman Machine, call Salt Lake City their home. Eastman Machine is based in Buffalo, New York.
Goal Zero purchased raw materials.
“Giving back in an impactful way is in Goal Zero’s DNA,” said Goal Zero’s General Manager, Bill Harmon. “We’re honored to support the efforts being made by our friends in the outdoor industry who share the same concerns as we do in helping to safeguard frontline medical professionals as they serve the community.”
Petzl supplied the headbands, while the production of the polycarbonate face shields has begun at the DPS Skis factory.
“Our entire team is proud to be contributing to the nationwide effort of PPE production and are humbled by the enthusiastic support of key partners – Goal Zero, Petzl, and Eastman Machine Company – that are helping make this possible. With a 15 year history of rapid prototype-to-production manufacturing, we are in a unique situation to convert a major portion of our operations to produce protective medical face shields,” said Alex Adema, DPS President and CEO.
Eastman Machine Company is leveraging its deep roots in textile manufacturing by donating tooling to the project.
The first shipment of badly needed face shields is expected to go out in the coming weeks, helping address the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to keep medical workers safe as they test and treat those affected by the coronavirus.
Adema adds,
“We are inspired by the healthcare workers who dedicate their lives to helping others. Their selfless sacrifices deserve recognition as they continue to mitigate the risk of COVID-19’s spread. We are humbled to have found ourselves in a position to mobilize this project with the passionate, soulful team at DPS and our amazing partners.”
Goal Zero, Petzl, DPS Skis, and Eastman Machine join several brands associated with the outdoor industry in pivoting efforts to aid in the COVID-19 crisis.