Product news
Suppliers show support

Spa suppliers around the world are making the industry proud by pivoting production and donating thousands of pieces of equipment and products to support those fighting coronavirus on the frontline

Published in Spa Business 2020 issue 2
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Noel Asmar has just launched two stylish face masks
Noel Asmar has just launched two stylish face masks

WELL EQUIPPED
Living Earth Crafts has partnered with non-profit organisation Prone2Help and donated its Earthlite Prone Comfort Bolster and Headrests as proning mattresses to help patients who’re asked to prone – lie on their stomachs – as part of their treatment for COVID-19 pneumonia.

Gharieni is providing relaxation beds for medical staff in a Belgium hospital. It has offered the Virga Jessa hospital its Spa.Wave System and RLX loungers for the overworked employees to give them “the best relaxation possible in a very short time to recharge their batteries”.

Meanwhile, Lemi has introduced a movable plexiglass Spa Shield which sits at the end of treatment beds to protect both therapists and customers during facials.

HELPING HANDS
To stop the spread of coronavirus, a number of spa suppliers are making and donating their own anti-bacterial hand gels or creams for incredibly dry, over-washed hands.

Comfort Zone was one of the first to step up by creating a hand sanitiser, Good Hope Gel, and donating 100,000 bottles to its partners, customers and collaborators, as well as charities.

Healthcare professionals across 15 countries are benefiting from donated hand cream from Biologique Recherche and it’s also begun producing hydroalcoholic sanitiser solution for free.

Other companies helping out include Circadia by Dr Pugliese in the US and Made For Life Organics in the UK.

“We’re committed to helping control the disease and would like to thank all healthcare professionals for their tireless dedication,” says Thalgo MD Bernard Sirop. The French spa brand is donating 3,000 Cold Cream Marine Hand Creams to hospitals around France, as well as thousands of surgical masks, hygiene caps and protective gowns and suits.

MATERIAL BENEFITS
Spa linen and uniform companies across the world are joining in the COVID-19 battle too.

UK-based Fashionizer Spa has temporarily ceased production on uniforms to begin making washable fabric face masks for the general public. The company is now working on producing anti-viral masks and uniforms for the industry.

In the US, Noel Asmar has begun the R&D process to design and deliver protective wear. It’s just launched two non-medical grade masks and is now exploring protective visors along with protective wear over uniforms.

Meanwhile, a global solidarity campaign has been launched by German skincare brand Babor. It’s asking partner spas around the world to donate masks and disinfectant to local hospitals as part of its #baborunited scheme.
Oakworks manufactures 1,000 beds a week for hospitals
Jeff Riach

US-based supplier Oakworks has developed FDA-approved emergency equipment to help meet the demands and anticipated shortage of US hospital beds and examination tables during the coronavirus pandemic.

Oakworks creates spa, massage and medical equipment and is supplying two different specially-developed field bed models for hospitals or overflow centres.

“We’ve moved very quickly to develop these beds, focusing all of our engineering capacity to get production up to speed quickly,” says CEO Jeff Riach. “I’m very proud of our team developing the capacity to build 1,000 beds a week so quickly.”

Oakworks counts brands such as Aman, Mayo Clinic and Canyon Ranch as its customers.

RKF works with French government to assist PPE crisis
Riadh Bouaziz

RKF Luxury Linen is aiding the global shortage of PPE brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak. It’s working with the French government to provide up to 10,000 protective gowns and 100,000 masks a week to supply hospitals, nursing homes and paramedics.

The company’s largest factory in Luxeuil is now solely dedicated to only producing protective equipment and the Belfort production site has also been enlisted to help.

“We know we’ll beat this, but until then we’re doing everything in our power to keep our frontline safe and protected,” says CEO Riadh Bouaziz. “Now more than ever we must also come together as a community and formulate our plan to bring positive solutions for the ‘new normal’ for our spa and hospitality industry.”

Hydrafacial switches production to ventilators

Aesthetic technology supplier The Hydrafacial Company has announced it is redirecting its manufacturing to produce ventilators – essential equipment in the treatment of COVID-19 – to ease shortages in US hospitals.

Hydrafacial’s engineering team are working with a California-based company to shift production and build the ventilators.

In addition, it’s already supplying critically needed reusable face masks. The masks are washable up to 30 times and made from a fabric with antimicrobial properties. A company statement says: “While these are not N95 masks for the frontlines of COVID-19, these are medical protective masks for other essential healthcare workers and other businesses.”

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