Respected brands DPS Skis, Eastman Machine, Goal Zero & Petzl combine resources to help combat COVID-19
Buffalo, New York – April 9, 2020 – DPS Skis, Eastman Machine Company, Goal Zero and Petzl have joined forces to manufacture medical-grade reusable polycarbonate face shields for the Utah Department of Health. The combined efforts and resources of the four highly-respected brands has resulted in the expeditious manufacturing of key Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the medical community in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
“Our entire team is proud to be contributing to the nationwide effort of PPE production and are humbled by the enthusiastic support of key partners – Goal Zero, Petzl, and Eastman Machine Company – that are helping make this possible. With a 15 year history of rapid prototype-to-production manufacturing, we are in a unique situation to convert a major portion of our operations to produce protective medical face shields,” said Alex Adema, DPS President and CEO. “We are inspired by the healthcare workers who dedicate their lives to helping others. Their selfless sacrifices deserve recognition as they continue to mitigate the risk of COVID-19’s spread. We are humbled to have found ourselves in a position to mobilize this project with the passionate, soulful team at DPS and our amazing partners.”
Production of the face shields has commenced at DPS Skis’ Salt Lake City factory, with the first shipment of shields expected to be delivered in the coming weeks to Utah’s medical community. The four brands have come together in a unique way to make this possible, with tooling donated by Eastman, raw materials purchased by Goal Zero and by utilizing retrofitted Petzl headlamp headbands.
DPS Skis has been a customer of Eastman Machine for more than a decade. The world-renowned ski company cuts pre-impregnated carbon fiber and base material with a CNC system manufactured at Eastman’s Buffalo, New York headquarters. Eastman’s customer network reaches well beyond the Washington Street facility and the story with DPS is one of many with hometown ties to Buffalo. “The first thing I noticed was the large Eastman machine that we use to cut our ski base material. I was so floored, it honestly made me emotional to see that,” recalls Alex Adema from his first day at DPS Skis in 2015. Alex Adema grew up ski racing in Ellicottville, earned an Executive MBA from the University at Buffalo, participated in the Leadership Buffalo program and was the Director of Finance and Operations for LaunchNY before relocating to Salt Lake City. “I can’t tell you what a deep love our family has for our Buffalo roots. It’s cliche, but it is simply the best kept secret in America, as you know.”
Cutting flexible technical textiles is often the first phase of manufacturing in the now critical production of masks, hospital bedding, gowns, curtains, gloves, medical wipes, laboratory coats and other PPE. Eastman has been fielding calls from customers around the globe who traditionally cut flexible materials for applications as varied as race car bodies, window blinds and spa covers who are now transitioning their operations to aid other industries deemed essential: health care, utility, military and law enforcement, transportation, safety and sanitation, agriculture and construction.
“All of us at Eastman are an important part of this fight,” says Robert Stevenson, Eastman Machine President and CEO. “I am thankful for our employees and customers who continue to do their part to help America beat this virus.”
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is in short supply and necessary in keeping medical workers protected as they test and treat those affected by the virus.
For more information, please visit the respective brand websites below.
About DPS Skis
Located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains in Salt Lake City, Utah, DPS designs the world’s most advanced ski products by fusing space age carbon technology with groundbreaking shapes. DPS is responsible for the world’s first and only pure pre-pregnated carbon fiber sandwich ski, the first 120mm-waisted powder pintail, the first rockered ski with sidecut, the Spoon – a convex three-dimensional shoveled ski with radical edge bevel and PHANTOM, a paradigm-shifting permanent, one time application base-coating that forever eliminates the need for waxing skis and snowboards. DPS products are sold on five continents and are the trusted brand of choice for serious skiers worldwide. For more information visit www.dpsskis.com or call +1.801.413.1737.
About Eastman Machine Company
Eastman has been manufacturing manually-operated cutting machines, automated (CNC) cutting systems, CAD/CAM software programs and material handling equipment in Buffalo, New York since 1888. Over a century ago Eastman introduced the world’s first electric fabric cutting machine which revolutionized the textile industry in the process. Today, the family-owned, small-cap manufacturer is a trusted supplier to global businesses that require manual or automatic cutting of flexible materials. Our promise to craft reliable, quality, American-made solutions means that every Eastman machine is guaranteed to perform. For more information visit www.eastmancuts.com or call +1-716-856-2200.
About Goal Zero
Goal Zero is the industry leader in sustainable, portable power. From emergency outages to camping to off-grid projects and events, our solar panels, power banks, power stations, and accessories give you the power to keep your gear charged through any situation. We were born out of the desire to empower people everywhere, and as an NRG company we’re working to change the way people think about and use power by pioneering the development of smarter energy choices. Power. Anything. Anywhere. For more information, visit www.GoalZero.com.
About Petzl
For over 40 years, Petzl has developed innovative tools and techniques used by those who work and play in the vertical world. Today, the Petzl brand is closely associated with adventure, exploration, rescue, and many notable exploits in the worlds of rock climbing, caving, and alpinism. In the professional market, Petzl is a world leader in work-at-height, fire and rescue, and tactical equipment and techniques. A family-owned business, Petzl is committed not only to quality and innovation, but also to giving back to the communities that have made us so successful. For more information, visit www.petzl.com.
Media Contacts
DPS Skis | Alex Hunt | [email protected]
Eastman | Elizabeth McGruder | [email protected]
Goal Zero | Clay Blackham | [email protected]
Petzl | Pat Light | [email protected]
