When it's time to pitch in
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A few days ago, Inditex said it was exploring the possibility of converting part of its textile manufacturing capacity to the production of health material. But apart from the textile giant, there are many companies and businesses that have not hesitated to contribute their technical and logistical capacity to the fight against the coronavirus. And what is even more remarkable, there are those who are doing it altruistically, as is the case with Mobel Sport, a sportswear company from Totana, which has stopped its production and has started to produce face masks.
"The manufacturing initiative started at the beginning of last week, when we began to investigate the possibility of producing masks due to the shortage of sanitary material," says Adrián Molino, marketing manager of the Totana-based company, who adds that it was last Monday "when we started manufacturing the masks, completely stopping the usual production of our brands of technical sportswear, cycling, triathlon and school uniforms. All the material is donated and the manufacturing and development is being done altruistically".
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[sc name="highlighted_text" ]A firm from Yecla has donated the fabric and seamstresses from all over the region have got down to work to help in the making of the garments.[/sc]
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Mobel, under the production management of Isabel Belchí, is making masks in different formats and for several different projects that are emerging, some still to be finalised and in the process of development. Among these projects is a collaboration with the Red Cross in the process of cutting 10,000 masks and 300 disposable gowns. The fabric was donated to the humanitarian institution, which is coordinating an initiative set up by Totana Town Council. The sewing is being carried out by seamstresses from all over the region, who have volunteered their services.
The aim is to produce 30,000 conventional type masks, made of a triple layer of liquid-repellent fabric and reusable, as they can be washed. "The first masks are already being distributed to local councils and homes. We are receiving many requests and we will try to attend to all of them", says Adrián, who adds that the manufacture of the masks would not have been possible without the help of José Ángel Mayor, from Fama Sofás de Yecla, "who donated the fabric and the pattern information".
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[sc name="highlighted_text" ]30,000 is the number of masks that Mobel Sport wants to manufacture. This is a conventional model, made with a triple layer of liquid-repellent fabric and reusable, as they can be washed.[/sc]
[sc name="highlighted_text" ]Sanitary equipment[/sc]
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Mobel was also contacted this week by the Rafael Méndez hospital in Lorca. "Their maintenance engineer had devised a way with a filter fabric they had to develop a protective mask for healthcare personnel. "Following the indications to develop this type of mask, we made several prototypes that were successfully tested biologically. Once we had their approval, we went on to produce 200 masks, to which we adapted the filter that the hospital sent us". These masks have been donated to the maintenance staff of the Lorca health centre.
At the same time, Mobel staff are making a second prototype developed entirely in-house, "with technical fabric that has an inner membrane, which makes the fabric waterproof, which we also delivered to the engineer at Rafael Méndez so that they can carry out the necessary biological tests".
The initiative of the totanera sportswear company has not gone unnoticed. Faced with the growing demand for masks, "some companies are contacting us for the supply of masks. We have opened a solidarity bank account. These companies have been given a number where they can make a donation that will be reinvested in its entirety in the development and supply of medical equipment," Adrián concludes.
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PACO LASTRA Saturday, 28 March 2020
httpsss://www.laverdad.es/deportes/mas-deportes/toca-arrimar-hombro-20200328002811-ntvo.html
