Kenosha-based Jockey International to produce gowns, donate equipment for health care workers
Updated: 5:11 p.m. on April 1, 2020
KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Kenosha-based company, Jockey International, Inc., is joining the fight against COVID-19. The company is now in the process of donating personal protective equipment (PPE) to first responders and healthcare workers across the country, including in Wisconsin.
Jockey’s CEO made the announcement at the White House Monday, March 30 and Wednesday, April 1 the company shared more with CBS 58 about their plans.
Jockey and their healthcare manufacturing partner, Encompass Group, is now starting to make Tier 3 Isolation Gowns. They are disposable gowns that protect healthcare workers from infectious particles.
Jockey’s plan is to donate 250,000 gowns. Five-thousand gowns will be donated to Kenosha first responders through the Kenosha Fire Department.
Jockey will also be donating 10,000 N95 masks and 10,000 Level 1 surgical masks to the department.
Jockey’s Chief Operating Officer says he hopes their actions encourage others to give back.
"People I think have been inspired that you don’t have to be a worldwide global large company to be able to give back," Mark Fedyk, Jockey COO, said. "If a private family owned company in Kenosha, Wisconsin can make a difference, you can make a difference too."
The gowns will start shipping out by the end of next week.
CBS 58 reached out to the Kenosha Fire Department for comment.
Jockey will also be donating 10,000 units of scrubs to the front-line doctors and nurses at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.
Jockey is no stranger to giving back. The company says they pitched in and made parachutes for the U.S. military during World War II.
"It's part of our history and it’s part of our DNA to roll up our sleeves and to help our country and help Americans in the time of need," Fedyk said.
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Published: 10:31 p.m. on March 30, 2020
KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A company with ties to Wisconsin got some attention at the White House briefing Monday.
As hospitals across the country sound the alarm on supply shortages, Jockey says it's stepping up to fill the gap.
"During WWII we made parachutes, and today we are eager to provide support for healthcare workers on the front lines of this fight," said Jockey International CEO Debra Waller.
Waller says the Kenosha-based company will produce thousands of gowns that will be used in hospitals across the country.
They'll also create thousands of masks for use by the Kenosha Fire Department.