A local company is stepping up to assist in the COVID-19 pandemic, and the shortage of medical equipment.
Impacto, a Belleville manufacturer that creates protective equipment for the job site, is turning their sights to protecting doctors, nurses, and first responders. The masks can also be worn by patients.
Eric Lehtinen is president of Impacto and says they have started to manufacturer a washable face mask that can be worn on the front lines.
He says it all began with the significant slow down in trade last month.
He says they took a look at what they have in house, which includes a sewing shop. He says they are one of the last companies in Ontario and maybe even Canada that has a cut and sew shop.
Next, he asked the question, what can we use that we have in the plant to protect people?
Lehtinen says over the weekend they came up with a design, and set up the production line and got to work.
Lehtinen tells Quinte News everything they have made to this point has been sold.
The mask is a 4-way stretch polycotton, masks are 40% polyester, 40% cotton, 20% lycra. They are called Impacto Waiting Room Masks,
You can listen to the full chat with Eric Lehtinen of Impacto below