Orsha Flax Mill has mastered the production of masks and gauze
The linen mill launched the new production line in April. The sewing factory of the enterprise, which previously produced home textiles and linen clothing, is fully involved in this new direction. The production employs 49 seamstresses and 23 additional staff members (embroiderers, folders, etc.). Work is organized in a two-shift mode without days off. The daily output of masks is 16,000 units. The products are manufactured in four versions: gauze-type fabric with a protective barrier based on linen and cotton fiber, produced by the "MedLen" enterprise; disposable masks made of non-woven material; simple and designer masks (for a youth audience) made from the enterprise's linen fabrics.
"At the very beginning of organizing a new type of activity, facing a shortage of gauze, the enterprise management decided to establish its own production. The flax mill engineers developed new technological processes, retrofitted the weaving looms with special fittings, as the production of new products was impossible without modernizing the equipment. Currently, the daily output of gauze is about 10 thousand linear meters. This is enough to meet the enterprise's own needs for gauze and for supplies to partner enterprises," the deputy director added.
Sergey Sidyn noted that before the coronavirus pandemic was announced worldwide, 82% of the total output was exported to European countries and the USA. The closure of these markets significantly affected the work of the Orsha enterprise. Due to the paused business, the execution of many contracts was suspended. "The financial safety cushion formed earlier allowed us to maintain all social payments to employees without stopping production, avoid reducing production volumes, working weeks, sending employees on unpaid leave, and even more so without layoffs. It is important that the implementation of plans for further modernization of the flax mill was not suspended. The third stage is currently underway, related to increasing the processing of domestic short flax fiber. For this purpose, we continue to acquire additional equipment for the entire technological chain," emphasized Sergey Sidyn.
The enterprise's staff numbers over 3.8 thousand people. All measures have been taken to ensure people's safety. A thermal imager has been installed at the entrance, disinfectors are ubiquitous, seamstresses work at a safe distance from each other, the frequency of cleaning premises with special disinfectants has been increased, and each employee has been issued seven reusable masks. "For those who are concerned, we have provided the opportunity to take a regular paid leave. Where possible, employees have been transferred to remote work. Each situation is considered individually. A plan for working in new conditions has been developed, which allows the entire team to work calmly," the Deputy General Director concluded.