Three US textile companies teamed up to manufacture PPE kits

Three US textile companies Merrow Manufacturing, ColorWorks and Bolger, and O’Hearn have teamed up together to fulfill America's rising demand for personal protective equipment during the global pandemic.

Merrow Manufacturing is a massive, high-tech cut and sews operation based in Fall River, typically used by fashion and textile brands to make hard and soft textile goods.

Bolger & O’Hearn, also based in Fall River, provided the high-powered durable water repellents designed to repel oil, water, and blood when applied to PPE fabrics, as well as other textile chemistries needed to meet ASTM requirements for Levels 1, 2, and 3 for medical PPE. A design system partner, B&O is also known for developing chemical products based on environmentally-compliant materials and technologies.

ColorWorks, which is located in Elizabethton, took charge of the dyeing and finishing of millions of yards of fabric used to make the PPE.

"The result of this partnership was a fast response to PPE needs and an ongoing relationship that promises to help the country continue to meet the growing demand for PPE across multiple sectors of the economy as we continue to fight the Covid-19 pandemic," three partnering companies said in a joint press release.