Seattle, WA, April 2, 2020 – Cascade Designs, Inc. (CDI), parent company of renowned outdoor brands Mountain Safety Research, Therm-a-Rest, Platypus, PackTowl and SealLine, has transitioned its Seattle based factory to manufacture ASTM Level 1 medical masks. The facility will manufacture up to 20,000 medical masks daily to help keep healthcare workers safe during the COVID-19 crisis.
Production started on March 31, at which time the company was making more than 1,000 masks per day. Once in full production, CDI will be manufacturing up to 20,000 masks per day. The company is in a unique position to respond quickly to the growing demand for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) because of its onshore manufacturing facility and experienced team of sewers. The facility will be manufacturing ASTM Level 1 medical masks, which provide basic bacterial filtration and sub-micron particulate protection for general medical use.
Doug Sanders, Vice President of Medical and Military at CDI, has been leading this effort. “Cascade Designs has been manufacturing quality outdoor gear in its Seattle factory for more than 50 years,” says Sanders. “Our team is experienced and fully committed to supporting the medical community – the doctors, nurses, health-care workers and first responders – that need personal protective equipment to safely and effectively care for their patients.”
The masks are being made in partnership with Kaas Tailored, who are working with partners across the country to make 100 million face masks in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Kaas provides the materials and distributes the masks, while CDI employs its team of 44 highly skilled sewers to stitch each individual mask. The masks will be distributed to 51 hospitals in the Providence network.
