To aid in the fight against COVID-19, El Paso, Texas-based Plastic Molding Technology Inc. (PMT), a manufacturer of precision-engineered, injection-molded plastic components, and its partners designed and manufactured custom mask straps to donate to critical healthcare workers.
On June 5, PMT presented a donation of 1,400 custom mask straps to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) El Paso, a university network that encompasses the only medical school on the US/Mexico border. According to TTUHSC, the physicians, clinics and partnering hospitals provide over $33 million in free healthcare services to the El Paso community every year. PMT chose TTUHSC because of their broad reach into the El Paso community. The donated straps were molded in sets of red and black with the TT logo on the back of the strap.
“After seeing the efforts of many companies — and even kids at home with 3D printers — making mask straps for critical healthcare workers, I knew PMT could put our plastic molding expertise to work for our community,” said Charles A. Sholtis, PMT CEO. “The PMT team found a way to design a lightweight, durable and comfortable mask strap. Our partners really stepped up to help launch the project, donating all of the materials. Overall, it was a successful team effort to help our El Paso community.”
The mask strap project was possible due to the generosity of several PMT suppliers. PMT worked closely with El Paso tool shop Great Southwest Tool (GST), who donated time and materials to fabricate the mold for the mask strap. The plastic resin was donated by Amco Polymers and Plastic Plus, and Clariant donated the TT red colorant for the material.
Also known as ear savers, mask straps attach to each elastic loop on a face mask to ease pressure and friction on the back of the ears. The straps are adjustable to improve face mask fit and comfort during long periods of wear.
As a next step, PMT is working to donate custom mask straps to University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC), the only not-for-profit community hospital in El Paso. PMT also handed out “PMT blue” logo mask straps for all of the company’s 100 on-site essential workers.
For more information, visit www.PMTinc.com.
