Reno-based Gary Platt Manufacturing, the world’s leading provider of casino seating, has retooled a section of its factory to create face masks and has donated a generous supply to Renown Regional Medical Center.
“We live here, we work here, and we wanted to help. When Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve sent out a plea for face masks, we heard her loud and clear. We immediately converted part of our operation from manufacturing casino seating to manufacturing masks,” said Gary Platt CEO Joe Esposito.
According to company spokesperson Paul Speirs-Hernandez, Gary Platt realized that they had to make only minor changes to their sewing machines in order to handle the different thread size and material used in the masks. So far, the company has produced 1,000 masks and are in the process of churning out 2,000 more. The masks are 100 percent double-layer cotton with elastic straps, washable and reusable.
“Since we don’t ordinarily carry cotton or elastic, we had to procure these materials,” Speirs-Hernandez said.
Gary Platt is also offering masks for sale to any business that may be in need. They sell for $9 apiece in quantities of 10 to 49 (minimum order 10), $6 each for orders of 1,000+, and $7 and $8 for quantities in between. A portion of the proceeds are donated to the Community Foundation of Western Nevada’s COVID-19 Relief Fund.
“We haven’t received any comments from Renown or Mayor Schieve, but I assume they’re plenty busy with other donations and tasks at hand,” Speirs-Hernandez said.
