Coats joins Gerber PPE Task Force as coalition partner
- 07 Apr 2020
8 April 2020: Coats, the world’s leading industrial thread company, has joined the Gerber PPE Task Force as a coalition partner.
The task force, created by Gerber Technology, empowers manufacturers to switch to personal protective equipment (PPE) production and match supply and demand for critically needed products.
Coats has an extensive network of apparel manufacturers and sector players which means it is uniquely positioned to provide an industry matchmaker role to rapidly mobilise the work of the Task Force. It will connect its customers who are switching to PPE production to the Task Force which will enable them to find potential outlets for their products. Coats will provide high quality threads, trims, specialist products, technical support and services as well as guidance on adhering to PPE regulation to manufacturers switching their operations. It will also introduce its raw material suppliers that produce materials for use in the production of PPE.
Rajiv Sharma, Group Chief Executive, Coats, said: ‘In unprecedented times we can be most effective by working together in partnerships for the greater good. By collaborating our innovation and expertise we can deliver an industry defining moment that is greater than the sum of its parts. Coats is proud to be joining the Gerber PPE Task Force and we are ready to help make a difference in keeping people safe during the pandemic.’
The initial creation of the Gerber PPE Task Force was announced on 24 March in response to the global shortage of masks and other PPE needed to keep healthcare workers safe. To date, it has brought together more than 600 companies and industry associations to protect those that are protecting us. It comprises dedicated experts who can offer advice, share best practices, support and technology to produce certain types of masks as well as protective apparel and accessories including raw material procurement and on-site support.
Mohit Uberoi, CEO of Gerber Technology, said: ‘Working across the industry in a unique ecosystem of professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences has allowed us to support manufacturers' conversion to PPE production by providing support for raw material selection, procurement, technical specifications to finished goods delivery. It is an ambitious initiative, but through a lot of hard work by the team and our partners, it is quickly becoming a powerful engine to drive solid and efficient PPE mass production. We would like to thank our employees and global network of partners for joining our mission and going the extra mile to maximise the production capacity and availability to protect both medical professionals and people on the frontlines.’
Converting to PPE production can bring many challenges at each step of the process. The Gerber PPE Task Force provides support from pattern design all the way to the cut and sew workflow, building a trusted supply chain and guiding manufacturers every step of the way as they transition to producing PPE.
For further information go to www.gerbertechnology.com/covid19
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For more information contact:
Kristina Blissett, Head of Group Communications
kristina.blissett@coats.com
T +44 (0)208 210 5084, M +44 (0)7714 539887
Notes to Editors
About Coats
Coats is the world’s leading industrial thread company. At home in some 50 countries, Coats has a workforce of 17,000 people across six continents. Revenues in 2019 were US$1.4bn.
Coats’ pioneering history and innovative culture ensure the company leads the way around the world. It provides complementary and value added products, services and software solutions to the apparel and footwear industries. It applies innovative techniques to develop high technology Performance Materials threads, yarns and fabrics in areas such as Transportation, Telecommunications and Energy, and Personal Protection.
Headquartered in the UK, Coats is a FTSE 250 company, a constituent of the FTSE4Good UK Index and a participant in the UN Global Compact. It is also the Official Thread Supplier to the Royal Shakespeare Company.
- Each year Coats makes enough thread to go into 8 billion pairs of jeans – that is one for every person on the planet
- Every month Coats produces enough thread to stretch all the way to the sun
- More than 450 million pairs of shoes are made every year using Coats’ thread
- More than 100 million car airbags are made using Coats’ Performance Materials thread every year
- In 1879 Thomas Edison used Coats’ thread in his experiments to invent the light bulb
- Coats’ flame retardant Performance Materials threads can withstand temperatures as high as 1,000 degrees Celsius
- Coats Epic Ecoverde is the world’s first 100% recycled premium sewing thread
To find out more about Coats visit www.coats.com
To subscribe to news releases as they are added to the website go to www.coats.com/email-signup
About Gerber Technology
Gerber Technology delivers industry-leading software and automation solutions that help apparel and industrial customers improve their manufacturing and design processes and more effectively manage and connect the supply chain, from product development and production to retail and the end customer. Gerber serves 78,000 customers in 134 countries, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies in apparel and accessories, home and leisure, transportation, packaging and sign and graphics.
Based in Connecticut in the USA, Gerber Technology is owned by AIP, a New York-based, global private equity firm specializing in the technology sector and has more than $3.0 billion assets under management. The company develops and manufactures its products from various locations in the United States and Canada and has additional manufacturing capabilities in China.
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