Last week, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster visited Fibertex Nonwovens in Gray Court, SC, in recognition of Fibertex’s rapid and comprehensive response to preventing the spread of coronavirus.

Fibertex expedited the response to the surging demand by working extensive overtime and adding staffing to support increased spunlace capacity for life-saving products such as hard surface disinfecting wipes and face masks. The company is also adding needlepunch capacity which will support the delivery of material for N95 masks.

“I’m grateful for the swift action Fibertex and your workforce took to respond to the COVID-19 emergency. Fibertex represents a model of how government and private sector can work together to respond to needs, drive innovation, and renew this country’s long history of advanced manufacturing,” remarks Ross during his address to Fibertex employees, local dignitaries, and the press.

The visit included a tour of the current spunlace operations as well as the new needlepunch operation which adds capacity to Fibertex’s two production lines located in Illinois.

In his remarks to the team, Governor McMaster recognized the Fibertex employees as “what’s making this facility stand out in its nimbleness, vision and understanding.”

“Today is a great day for Fibertex and recognition for the Fibertex team – the hard work, the determination, and the commitment to produce high quality products to help the fight against COVID-19,” notes Oscar Fontalvo, president of Fibertex Nonwovens Inc.

Fontalvo also noted that future investments will reflect Fibertex’s dedication to the latest technologies and highly innovative products that will improve people’s lives and continue to bring progress to communities.