Van de Velde Seamstresses Sew Type 2 Surgical Masks for Belgian Hospitals

26 March 2020

Van de Velde is currently supplying approximately 1,000 surgical masks per day

Last week, following an urgent request issued by the general hospital in Aalst, Belgium, Van de Velde started using part of its Schellebelle workshop for the production of Type 2 surgical masks. The hospital itself provided the sterile fabric they are using and the seamstresses are working while ensuring strict levels of hygiene.

With the help of their partners (Microtherm, which is part of the Etex Group, Jetcar Expressdienst, and Kearney), Van de Velde is supplying the general hospital in Aalst and other hospitals in the region with approximately 1,000 masks per day. Additionally, the mask pattern is being shared by Van de Velde here.

Marleen Vaesen, CEO of Van de Velde, stated that: “Being a socially engaged family company, Van de Velde’s participation in this initiative was self-evident. I am proud that our team was able to roll out this project so quickly, and that we could also count on the support of several loyal partners. In particular, I would like to thank our seamstresses. Their valuable expertise has always made them a crucial link in the production chain, but now they are truly the heart of our company.”

Liesbeth Van de Velde, Head of Design and manager of the workshop, said: “Our seamstresses were enthusiastic about this initiative right from the very beginning and were keen to offer their support to the care sector in these challenging times. They are not alone: the initiative engendered tremendous support here, and has awakened the interest of all our employees.”

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