(WXYZ) — Carhartt announced Tuesday it is shifting production to make medical gowns and masks to help men and women on the frontline fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Monday, April 6, Carhartt will begin producing 50,000 medical gowns. Two weeks later, the company will start to manufacture 2.5 million masks. It will continue as long as the masks and gowns are in short supply.
“Serving and answering the call during times of need has always been an integral part of Carhartt’s history and it’s why consumers have trusted us to have their back for more than 130 years,” said Mark Valade, Chief Executive Officer at Carhartt. “We are humbled and honored to help all the essential workers serving and protecting us right now.”
Workers at the company's manufacturing facilities have volunteered to produce these items, and Carhartt will continue to pay them while they produce them. Social distancing, a limited number of employees and extra sanitation will be going on during production.
Carhartt had previously temporarily closed all company-owned stores and implemented temporary rotating paid work schedules in manufacturing and distribution facilities.
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