The agility of a small Jefferson County manufacturer is helping stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Emily Walker, the plant manager at Brookville Glove Manufacturing, heard Gov. Tom Wolf’s order last week that non-life-sustaining businesses were going be forced to shut their doors.
“We manufacture work gloves which are considered apparel,” Walker said Tuesday.
That all changed with a phone call.
“Around 10 that morning Guardian Health Care reached out to me to see if we would be interested in manufacturing face masks. They were looking for something with a cotton and polyester material to get them through,” said Walker.
Although masks are very different than work gloves, some of the materials are the same. Walker realized this transition could be accomplished.
“We worked with our team here and Guardian and within five hours we decided on our prototype that fit what they needed clinically,” Walker said. “The order was confirmed by 3:30 p.m.
Now that a design had been accepted the masks had to be produced.
“At that point I called our CEO and president Brian Daugherty and we worked until 8 p.m. Friday just to get all of the machines converted and get everything ready,” said Walker. “We started producing the masks on Saturday.”
And produce they did.
“Right now we are producing a little over 2,000 every day,” said Walker. “I have added a second shift just to try to meet the demand. I have 20 people working right now but we are hiring people for the second shift.
“It has been an all hands on deck situation,” Walker added. “My boss’ kids, who are currently laid off or home from school, are working here to help me out,” she said.
“Our first shift is still working on the Guardian order but in the evening we are working on other orders. It was a large order,” she said.
“We have been contacted by facilities in New York, New Jersey and a place in Philadelphia called us today,” said Walker. “We have also been contacted by a senator.”
Walker said the supply of materials is holding up and additional material is on the way.
Walker knows none of this would have worked without the support of Brookville Glove’s employees.
“I can’t give my employees enough credit. They were all very excited and, I believe, fulfilled that they were able to do something to help so many people.”
The company was founded in 1883. The late Charles E. Breene of Oil City was the former owner and president of the company.