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10 cycling companies making products to help medical professionals fight COVID-19

The industry shifts manufacturing to combat the novel coronavirus

March 26, 2020
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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused shortages of medical products and personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical professionals. In Canada, Justin Trudeau called for help with masks and ventilators.

In America, thee Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that homemade masks can be made in times of crisis as a last resort and “should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face.” While most companies don’t have the means to produce masks that are medical grade, or N95 respirators, the shortage has gotten to a point where emergency care workers in some regions are asking for mask donations from the public. Manufacturers already equipped with high-grade sewing machines have been stepping up to the plate and making PPE for those fighting the virus on the front lines.

Here are 10 companies who normally make cycling products, but have shifted to making products to help fight the COVID-19 outbreak around the world.

Santini

Santini produces world champions jerseys for the UCI. Based in a region of Italy hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak, it is now making face masks to help keep the Bergamo, Italy community safe. The company has the capacity to create over 10,000 masks per day.

HMPL

In Canada – HMPL, a Vancouver brand making bags, packs and accessories for cycling, is making face masks for front line workers. It will distribute the masks, free, for those working on the city’s vulnerable Downtown Eastside.

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We’ve put a tiny pause on projects we have going on to work on something that just makes sense at this point in time. Masks! They are beginning to be in short supply and since we happen to be pretty handy with a sewing machine, we figure it’s kind of our duty to do what we can to help out those in need. So this is how it’s going to work. If you are a healthcare professional or someone on the front lines in then DTES, reach out. We got you at no charge because you are hero’s. For everyone else, we are selling them to help keep our heads above water in these trying times and we are taking most of the money and putting it towards more supplies to make more masks. Navy masks are $10, Camo are $20. *Foliage is sold out* . I’ll be doing drop offs for those that need em delivered. ****DISCLAIMER*** These are by no means medical grade masks. But they are made of goretex and will work a hell of a lot better than nothing. They are fully machine washable as well.

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Orucase

The San Diego brand makes travel bags for cycling. Now producing face masks, the company aims to make 500,000 masks a week once their facility is in full swing.

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Help our Medical Professionals MAR 22, 2020 With the world facing the growing Coronavirus pandemic, we spent the last week retooling our production facilities to help produce protective face masks for medical professionals. Like many other companies across different industries, we're hoping that we can help provide much needed protective personal equipment (PPE) to help battle the COVID-19 Pandemic. With our experience producing sewn products, we thought this was where we could best help. By retooling our production line we've begun making both consumer-focused surgical masks, as well as medical-grade masks. Our goal is 500,000 masks a week once our facility is in full swing. The proceeds from the sale of our consumer masks will be used to facilitate the production of more masks for medical workers. The purchase of one consumer mask, available on our webstore, will help us produce and donate up to 20 masks for medical professionals. Additionally, we invite you to help connect us with any individuals or companies manufacturing any of these specialty fabrics and materials for potential partnerships. Feel free to contact us with any questions or ideas.

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Francois Marie Boyaux

The French company normally makes hand made tires, but began making face masks for a local nursing home that has run out of protective equipment.

Industry Nine

The Asheville, N.C. wheel and components brand is making its many CNC machines available. The tools that spend most days machining hubs and spokes will now work to produce parts for ventilators and personal protective equipment. Industry Nine is currently working with Kitsbow, Watershed Drybgs and Oowee Products, three other local Asheville brands, with plans to expand its own efforts.

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Five days ago we put out a message to our community looking for ways we can leverage our manufacturing capabilities to help those directly impacted by COVID-19. The response has been overwhelming. Thanks to your help, we've been able to partner with other local WNC based companies @kitsbow, @watershed_drybags and @ooweeproducts and are ramping up production with a goal of manufacturing 1,000,000 reusable, protective masks this month.⁣ ⁣ But we are still looking to do more.⁣ ⁣ At our disposal are 100+ CNC machines ready and available to assist in machining components for ventilators. Additionally, we're looking for a large clean open space for production (~20k square feet). For any contacts or leads, please continue to share them with us at: theeffort@industrynine.net We cannot express how much we appreciate the continued support from all of you. Please continue to share, tag, repost – its working! ?? #myi9 #madewithlove #truecolors #covid19 #covid_19 #letsdothis

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Kitsbow

Kitsbow, a high-end mountain bike apparel company is now making personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks and shields.

 

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Vermarc

The Belgian clothing brand has been making face masks since last week. The company is focusing on distribution to front line providers in its home community.

Pinch Flat Designs

Pinch Flat Designs, based out of Bend, Oregon, normally makes hip packs for mountain bikers. The company will now be making face masks that comply with the CDC protocol of 100 percent cotton construction.

Monkey Sauce

Monkey Sauce is a French company that makes bike cleaning and care products. The company’s employees are now working to create hydroalcoholic gel for hospitals.

ATM Handmade Goods

ATM Handmade Goods creates handcrafted bags for bikepacking and touring. The company, based in Kansas City, Missouri has been making cotton medical masks and selling to the public to help make more.