FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global workwear brand Dickies®, in partnership with its parent company, VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC), today announced that it is further supporting the fight against COVID-19 in the US by manufacturing FDA-compliant isolation gowns for hospitals and healthcare workers. These high-demand personal protective equipment (PPE) garments will be distributed to communities throughout the US in cooperation with federal and state government leaders.
“Dickies has stood alongside generations of workers and in light of these unprecedented times, we’re joining in the effort to help healthcare professionals on the frontlines,” said Denny Bruce, Dickies Global Brand President. “As a heritage brand that goes to work, especially when the work gets tough, we are committed to equipping these workers with the critical medical garments they need to protect themselves as they continue the fight against this pandemic.”
Dickies has been committed to championing the dignity of work for nearly a century and is no stranger to shifting its production in times of need to help the greater good. Dating back to World War II, the company helped to produce millions of uniforms for the US military, and now, to support healthcare workers on the front lines of COVID-19, Dickies is leveraging VF Corporation’s global supply chain and capabilities by converting several manufacturing facilities to produce urgently needed PPE garments.
With initial production beginning next week, VF Corporation and Dickies expect to produce and deliver 50,000 gowns in May, and intend to create production capacity to make up to 675,000 gowns by June and up to 3.4 million by September. The isolation gowns will be made with fabric sourced from industry partner Milliken & Company, in accordance with guidelines issued by the FDA. The health and safety of workers involved in the production of these gowns will be a top priority and the company will ensure that necessary educational, screening, and social distancing protocols will be strictly enforced in route and within the facility.
“We are proud to leverage our global resources and manufacturing expertise in partnership with our Dickies brand to support the fight against COVID-19,” said Cameron Bailey, Executive Vice President, Global Supply Chain, VF Corporation.
The production of isolation gowns builds on several other initiatives that both Dickies and VF Corporation have each rolled out in response to COVID-19, including a $1.5 million donation to local communities from The VF Foundation, the private grantmaking organization funded by VF Corporation, and a donation of Dickies branded scrubs to impacted US hospitals in partnership with Careismetic Brands, the largest US supplier of scrubs.
ABOUT DICKIES:
Dickies®, the world’s leading performance workwear brand, has provided workers with durable, functional and comfortable workwear since 1922, pioneering such iconic styles as the 874® work pant. A brand of VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC), the Dickies® brand portfolio continues to evolve and today includes modern apparel, footwear and accessories for men, women and kids. The brand’s range of products are available in more than 100 countries, allowing individuals around the world to experience the performance of Dickies®. For more information, visit www.dickies.com or follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
ABOUT VF CORPORATION:
Founded in 1899, VF Corporation is one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies connecting people to the lifestyles, activities and experiences they cherish most through a family of iconic outdoor, active and workwear brands including Vans®, The North Face®, Timberland® and Dickies®. Our purpose is to power movements of sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and our planet. We connect this purpose with a relentless drive to succeed to create value for all stakeholders and use our company as a force for good. For more information, please visit vfc.com.
