American Seating makes masks to help with COVID-19 response

American Seating is now making medical-grade H600 isolation masks for Spectrum Health, a hospital system in West Michigan, to help with the COVID-19 response.

Grand Rapids, Michigan-based American Seating anticipates making approximately 2,000 masks per week. The company plans to make the masks until the pandemic need diminishes.

American Seating worked with Spectrum Health to ensure the masks meet design and materials specifications. A small workforce of fabric cutting and sewing technicians are working on the masks at American Seating.

“We’re proud of the skill sets of our employees and their capability to adapt to this critical need, and we’re also proud to help our healthcare providers stay safe on the front lines of COVID-19,” American Seating President and COO Tom Bush said.

American Seating normally has a full-time UAW workforce of approximately 200 employees. The company had been designated an essential business, serving as a critical component manufacturer for transportation infrastructure during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in North America. However, the company temporarily ceased manufacturing operations on March 30 as the result of the temporary closure of key customers due to the pandemic. The company will ramp up full manufacturing operations as soon as possible.

American Seating notes other West Michigan manufacturers are also involved in the mask-making effort.