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LOWELL — From sequins to cityscapes, Assemble Lab’s face masks are designed to be more than just safety equipment — they’re fashion statements.
The Lowell-based business, known for developing garment samples, began producing cloth masks in March. The company now crafts more than 100 masks per day, and has donated about 2,000 to local hospitals and frontline workers.
“We had all the fabric and we had all the elastic, and you know, we have… the knowledge and the manpower behind it, so we just immediately shifted over and started making masks,” said Karen Blumsack, who works in pattern-making, development, customer service and the company’s warehouse.
The company made the switch to mask production within minutes, according to owner and Production Manager Sharon Drelick. At first, the masks were sewn with spare fabric left over from other projects.
“People were getting high-end designer masks,” Blumsack said.
As time went on, customers began submitting feedback and special requests. The company listened and now makes adjustable masks for a better fit, as well as masks with clear plastic vinyl for those who are hearing-impaired. There has also been an increased demand for hospital gowns.
“We’ve always been a hands-on company,” Blumsack said, later adding, “We do have a lot of fun when we come up with different designs,”
Some customers order masks in every color.
Each one is handmade by a member of Assemble Lab’s seven-person staff. Employees frequently switch roles, from cutting fabric to inserting elastics to sewing masks. The masks also contain filters, which were donated by a manufacturer that produces respirators, and another that makes vacuum cleaners, Blumsack explained.
“We just have a lot of people that are willing to volunteer their time and pitch in and help us out in terms of production … because the need and the demand is still so high,” Blumsack said.
Deciding to donate the masks was a “no-brainer,” she said. Assemble Lab gave masks to local Massachusetts and New Hampshire hospitals, Meals on Wheels workers, nursing-home staff, postal workers and others.
“People that just didn’t have anything, weren’t able to get anything … as soon as we saw somebody without them … we would make sure that they had masks,” Blumsack said.
The difficult decision was to sell the masks, Drelick said.
“That was a hard choice for us … we were not looking to make a profit,” she said, adding that it is “what has kept us afloat.”
The company has been able to hire three new employees.
“After we donated well over 2,000 masks, we had to kind of pivot … and figure out what we were going to do to pay rent,” Blumsack said.
Assemble Lab was launched in Lowell in 2016 and currently operates from Western Avenue Studios.
The masks range in price from $10 to $15, and come in a variety of sizes and colors. They sport patterns ranging from cartoon Darth Vaders to pastel paw prints.
“That’s what makes us unique,” Blumsack said, adding that each one is “made with love.”
“We’ve just been so thankful for the community,” Blumsack said. “The outpouring of people wanting to help out … it’s just been amazing.”
As a small business, she added, “it’s nice to know that the community has your back.”
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