More and more bike brands are manufacturing PPE or making other donations to aid in the battle against COVID-19. Here are some of the reports we've received this week.
Yeti teams with Smith, Black Diamond to produce face shields
GOLDEN, Colo. (BRAIN) — Smith Optics and Black Diamond combined resources to help Yeti Cycles manufacturer face shields for Colorado health-care workers and first-responders.
Smith Optics' 4,000 yards of goggle strap material, and Black Diamond's 5,000 headlamp straps will enable Yeti to construct 10,000 face shields at its Golden headquarters. The initial run of shields was claimed by health-care workers and first-responders within the first 24 hours. Additional materials are sought to increase face shield production.
"Yeti typically designs products from the ground up, but in this case we wanted an efficient way to make the most effective thing," said Steve Hoogendoorn, co-owner of Yeti. "Time is critical, so we're doing it with materials we've pulled together from industry friends and available through our supply chain. It's not surprising, but everyone we contacted wanted to help, and their help was critical in this coming together so quickly."
Yeti began its face shield manufacturing on Saturday using an open-source template from the University of Wisconsin. The initial delivery was set to leave Golden on Wednesday. Yeti said health-care workers it spoke with said face shields are as critical as N95 masks, with studies showing they extend the life of masks.
Yeti also sourced 24,000 medical grade masks from one of its suppliers to be donated to health-care workers, first-responders, senior centers, and RTD workers.
Health-care workers and first-responders in need of face shields should email Yeti at donations@yeticycles.com and include "Face Shields" in the subject line.
Champion System and Eliel making reusable masks
LINCOLN, Neb. (BRAIN) — Custom apparel companies Champion System USA and Eliel Cycling are offering reusable face masks directly to consumers.
Champion System is manufacturing several thousand in its first production run. They are available on the company's website for $19.99 each or $39.99 for a package of three.
Champion System, based in Lincoln, Nebraska, has pledged to donate a portion of all mask sales along with other goods on its COVID Relief Sale page to the Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. Champion System has established a $15,000 goal to be raised for the Coalition via mask and online sales.
Social distancing and isolation continue to keep many at home, spurring a nationwide increase in domestic violence.
"It's important to note that stress, job loss, and other COVID-19 pressures do not cause abuse," said Lynne Lange, executive director of the Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, "However, those who choose to use violence as a way to control their partner, habitually utilize stressful situations to gain even more control."
Champion System's face masks are washable and water-repellent. Triple-layered with alternating fabric weaves, they are designed to regulate and reduce inbound and outbound transmission of airborne particles.
Eliel's masks are available for pre-order on the company's website, for $50 for a five-pack. The San Diego-based company is matching all mask purchases with a mask donation to its local health care providers
Park Tool donates 35,000 pair of gloves
While several industry companies are repurposing their manufacturing to personal protection equipment, Park Tool's nitrile gloves need no adaptation for health care workers. Just the generosity of company owner and president Eric Hawkins.
"When we had inventory, we donated 70,000 gloves to the Minnesota Department of Health emergency services," Hawkins told BRAIN. "When I offered they sent a guy in his personal pick-up truck within an hour to come and get them."
Park Tool has gotten scores of calls from retailers across the country looking for gloves. Many shops bought gloves through Park's 10 distributors with the sole purpose of donating them locally. "We are now pretty much sold out of gloves," Hawkins said. "No word on when we will be getting more."
Clif Bar donating 6.6 million bars to health care workers and others in need
INDIANAPOLIS (BRAIN) — Clif Bar's bakeries in Indianapolis and Twin Falls, Idaho, are operating with enhanced health and safety practices.
"Our top priority has and will always be our people who are working hard to keep supply available so store shelves can be stocked at a time when people need access to nutritious, affordable food," the company said.
The company has committed to donating 6.6 million CLIF, LUNA and CLIF Kid Bars to help feed those in need, including health care workers.
"We are engaging our employees in a company-wide effort to get food directly and urgently to health-care workers, while appreciating the heroic work of our bakery teams to keep production continuing safely and smoothly," the company said.
Coaster Cycles turns to shield making
BONNER, Mont. (BRAIN) — Coaster Cycles, which manufactures three-wheeled cycles here, is bringing back laid-off workers and hiring more to produce face shields for health care workers.
The company began shipping the shields to hospitals in Montana this week, with the goal of producing a half-million shields.
The company also has received an order for 150,000 shields from the New York City Department of Health, according to The Missoulian.
Due to COVID-19, Coaster had laid off 13 of its 21 workers and reduced hours for five others. Now they are bringing back all the workers and more. Coaster may start operating a second shift and working weekends to fulfill all the shield orders.
