NEWS RELEASE
WOW! SPECIAL EVENT MANAGEMENT INC.
*************************
PENETANGUISHENE – A local company with connections to the textile industry has developed a series of products to help businesses and organizations deal with the new normal during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
WOW! Special Event Management Inc., owned by local businessman David Gravelle, has been producing custom curling apparel under the brand PROCURLINGWear, for more than seven years. In partnership with his manufacturer in British Columbia, his group has developed a series of face masks for personal use.
The masks, branded as MASQ, offer significant defence against airborne elements. They provide three-layer protection with an outer HPR water resistant coated fabric; a non-woven polypropylene filter in the middle; and an inner comfort lining next to the skin. They are reusable and machine washable up to 60 times. HPR is an acronym for Highly Protective Risk, an international designation in the fabric market.
Gravelle is quick to point out that their masks are currently not for front-line health care workers, but they are working on getting approved for a medical license.
“During this pandemic, we’ve been in discussions with our manufacturer in BC about what a 'new normal' may look like, and what role we can play,” explained Gravelle. “We saw that people were sewing their own masks out of cloth, but realized that a more hearty and safer product may be needed when governments allow businesses to re-open.”
Derek Robbins, the owner of ATAC Sportswear in Langley, BC has been in the textile industry for more than three decades. He’s operated factories in China, Mexico and Canada. ATAC specializes in custom sublimated performance apparel ranging from cycling to soccer. Robbins is originally from Collingwood, and meets with Gravelle multiple times a year when he travels to Ontario to visit family.
“We are proud to be the manufacturing partner for PROCURLINGWear and now with our new product MASQ,” said Robbins. “We’ve worked with David on hundreds of curling projects, including producing team uniforms for the Canadian and World Championships, and the Olympic Winter Games. David is an excellent marketer and promoter, and has tremendous connections through his various businesses, so this is an excellent alignment for us.”
“Face masks will be needed for office workers, manufacturing facilities, recreation centres, gyms, day cares, security companies, museums and attractions... anywhere there is a density of crowds,” explained Robbins. “Branded masks may be required in order to distinguish staff and guests.”
“While customers may just want white personal protection masks, we have the ability to custom design and produce masks with logos, vivid themes and messages of thanks or inspiration,” said Gravelle. “For example, when sporting events start again, stadium staff and fans will need to be protected beyond social distancing.”
Ontario Health advises residents to consider using face covering (non-medical masks) to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID19 in areas where physical distancing may be challenging, such as public transit, grocery stores and pharmacies. The Government of Ontario requests that medical masks should be reserved for use by health care works and first responders.
The USA Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends wearing face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. The CDC also advises the use of face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.
“As many people know, I am the Physician Recruitment Consultant for Georgian Bay General Hospital and the Southern Georgian Bay region,” commented Gravelle. “During the pandemic, I’m still working full-time to meets the physician needs at the hospital and continuing to actively pursue family doctors for our residents. But, every other waking hour has been devoted to this project. I’ve enlisted local talent to design our masks, build our website, and manage online orders. We feel like we are doing our part to keep people employed locally and at our factory, while serving the population in these uncertain times.”
“Because of my connection to health care, I’m happy to announce that a portion of sales from every MASQ sold will be donated to the Georgian Bay General Hospital Foundation and the Huronia Community Foundation,” concluded Gravelle.“
To learn more about MASQ products visit https://procurlingwear.com/masq-protective-face-masks/
*************************
