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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 23 M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 0 S M A L L B U S I N E S S F O C U S a redesigned workspace enlarged for physical distancing, which is regularly monitored. Machines, door knobs and bathrooms are sprayed every couple of hours, and break times are staggered. ey are needed as output grows exponentially, not just of face shields but also cloth face coverings made from cotton jersey T-shirt material. Over the next seven months, American Roots aims to produce a million washable masks and half a million face shields, Waxman says. at means bringing on even more employees, to get to 110 by June 10, with training help from Common reads of Maine, a sewing school run by his mother, Dory Waxman, a floor below American Roots. "For me the most difficult part is being a father to two young children three years and six months old and getting up to work in the middle of a global pandemic that had a hid- den enemy," Waxman says. "My wife and I had to make some really tough decisions on what to do in those early days, but our decision was to do what we could do to help. We saw an opportunity to help in the middle of a crisis, and our team — to their credit — are the ones who stepped in." 'Forever changed' Both Flowfold and American Roots say they're committed to making protective equipment as long as the need is there, but look forward to the day they can resume their regular activities. "is isn't a long-term play for us. e sooner we're back to making wallets and bags the better for everyone, doing what we love — and the health care sys- tem has recovered," says Morin. When that happens, he says the company will determine whether it will also continue making face shields. At American Roots, Reynolds already foresees a permanent PPE division at a company she says will never be the same again. "It's not only American Roots," she says. "e world is forever changed." We are proud to have worked with Flowfold from the beginning, supporting them as they grew, and moving them into larger spaces when they were bulging at the seams. Call or Visit Us Online. Portland, ME dunhamgroup.com 207.773.7100 Local Knowledge. Regional Focus. Global Reach. So, they chose the Dunham Group to fold up the deal. Flowfold needed more space to manufacture minimalist gear... Since 1989 Local Decisions Be Budget! 800.924.4229 www.bdtme.com Problems Solved. Budget Document Technology is an industry leader in providing digital solutions for document creation, production, and distribution. • Multi-functional Color & B&W Copiers • Printers & Scanners • Postage & Mailing Equipment • Software & Network Solutions • Managed Print Services Helping Maine get business done! C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » It's not only American Roots. The world is forever changed. — Whitney Reynolds American Roots