Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Ekornes Ramps up PPE Manufacturing in Norway and the U.S.
April 7,
2020 by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry 
Furniture manufacturer Ekornes, Inc. has announced that it is helping COVID-19 relief efforts by producing and distributing PPE (personal protective equipment) worldwide. The company’s Norwegian production facilities have already produced over 2,500 medical protective masks for use by healthcare professionals.
In addition, J.E. Ekornes USA Inc. sofa assembly plant in Morganton, N.C. has begun startup production of PPE equipment this week. The plant will produce the pre-approved PPE mask, gowns, shoe covers and curtains, giving the company the ability to provide a public service that is needed everywhere today in dealing with this crisis.
“We just yesterday received an immediate request to deliver 1,000 facemasks to Broughton Hospital for delivery today,” said Randy Tallent, vice president. “In a partnership and combined effort with E. J. Victor, we have already produced 500 masks from our facility after just a few hours yesterday. We will be able to deliver their entire need of 1,000 facemasks today. We are all excited and proud to be part of this effort.”
Production will continue indefinitely throughout the CoVid-19 pandemic.