A MOUNT Gambier clothing alteration business has answered the need for more facemasks as the country grapples with a national shortage amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sew Unique’s seamstresses and tailors usually repair hems and create well-fitting jackets, but are now using their unique skills to produce more than 1000 single-use face masks a day for Mount Gambier-based personal protective equipment wholesaler Badger Australia.
Drawing on their skills as previous Fletcher Jones tailors and suit-makers, David and Linda Marcus and Debbie Barker have been churning out thousands of face masks to meet the urgent need.
“At Fletcher Jones we used to make 1200 trousers a day and 250 coats a day and this is pretty much the same thing,” he said.
“We use the same principles here we used working on the production line at Fletcher Jones.
“We had to get it out and we had to do whatever it takes.
“It is great to be back manufacturing and it brings back great old memories.”
The Commercial Street East store was faced with the prospect of shutting its doors, but is now thriving and looking to expand its current staff of four to increase production.
Along with grandchildren Bailey Marcus, Brooke Marcus and Madison Virgin, the team hopes to increase production to 2000 masks each day.
“We were about to shut the door on Wednesday night, but then Badger Australia contacted us about making masks, we got the design refined and sorted and then started production,” Ms Marcus said.
“It has been a lifesaver for us.
“It keeps us employed, as well as allowing us to put on more staff to cater for the demand.
“We plan to go to 2000 masks a day when we have our other workers in and with the kids starting school holidays, they will be able to be in more regularly.”
Mr Marcus said the masks were tighter than cloth masks and include a piece of wire at the nose bridge and strong elastic to ensure a firm fit around the cheek and under the chin.
“Our masks are very high quality, they last long and can be recycled, which is also good for the environment,” he said.
“Badger Australia has said it will take as many masks as we can make, so if we can get the extra people, we will produce as much as we can.
“It is much better for all of us to be working rather than having to rely on a government subsidy.”
Badger Australia managing director Ben Cox said the masks would be distributed to its clients in the warehouse and transport industries across Australia.
He said the Mount Gambier made masks would meet demand for the coming months.
“Local production benefits our company because there really is no available masks to be found, which means we are unable to supply our customers,” he said.
“It has given us an opportunity to initiate production in Mount Gambier.”
