Textile company pivots to make gowns, masks

Airtex Group I Acme Made, based in Minneapolis, produces store brand soft goods, and the textile manufacturer has pivoted production during the coronavirus pandemic to make protective gear for medical workers.

The company produces high-end linen window coverings, pillows, throws and bags, and has been able to adjust production to develop sew gowns, non-surgical facemasks and face shields for frontline doctors, nurses and medical professionals.

The company said the gowns are classified as “level 2 isolation” clothing that’s made from recycled material and has a softer, thinner material than most gowns of that classification. The masks have an adjustable nose bridge and an interior pocket where a replaceable filter can be used for multiple use.

"In addition to our consumer home textile business, we have many business-to-business customers in the medical industry, so we used strong connections and supply chain expertise to get raw materials into the factory quickly," said Mike Miller, chief executive officer of the company.