Creating jobs, protecting lives: NC companies switch gears to PPE production

These businesses are helping meet the demand for personal protective equipment -- and helping keep people employed.

One Holly Springs company has answered the call to bolster the community in a time of need.

ASI Signage Innovations usually makes architectural signs.

The company's owners know a good sign when they saw one. So when a family member's co-worker was making face shields in the driveway--because what the world needs now is face shields--they knew it was a sign.

"These were all hand-cut and we thought we [our company] could do this a whole lot better and faster," said John Dalpe.

Inspiration seized Dalpe, the ASI sales executive for North Carolina.

The plant in Holly Springs, which employs 35 or so people, usually makes corporate signs to put on buildings. But the pandemic put many orders on hold.

ASI Regional President Silas Bass could read the writing on the wall.

He said, "Obviously, there was a great need for face shields. We were looking to diversify and keep people working."

So the company went to the state and offered to help.

ASI won a contract with the North Carolina Emergency Management Division and delivered 25,000 face shields in April.

The shields are plastic and re-usable. Not only did the new operation keep its workers on the job, it created new jobs.

The company reached out and found people that had been furloughed or were on unemployment, providing them with temporary work and a paycheck.

ASI is still making signs--it's considered an essential business.

"We're kind of double duty right now," said Carrie Hickman, an employee at ASI.

Hickman, known by her co-workers as Li'l C, has worked at ASI for two years.

"I absolutely think ASI is a model for other companies in Holly Springs," said Anna Murphy, Holly Springs Economic Development Director

To make the shields, ASI is using supplies from companies in the area. They're also selling the shields to local restaurants and salons.​

Another state contract is pending--to make 50,000 shields.

For ASI, that's a very good sign.