Razorback Partner Hanes Brands Inc. Produces Masks

FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas is proud to partner with many great companies for a variety of reasons. One company who stands out this week is Hanes Brands, Inc.

HanesBrand partners with the University’s licensing program to produce items under several labels including Champion and Knight’s Apparel.

The Winston-Salem, North Carolina, company announced that it will begin producing cotton surgical masks at some of its factories in Latin American as part of a federal contract to combat a national shortage of face masks resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. At peak output, the company expects to produce about 1.5 million masks a week.

Using U.S.-grown cotton, the masks are being produced in Hanesbrands’ sewing factories in El Salvador, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. These factories would normally be producing T-shirts, underwear, socks, sweatpants and sweatshirts.

HBI joined a consortium of companies who expect to produce 5-6 million masks weekly using HanesBrands’ design and patterns. The masks meet technical specifications, including product chemistry, required by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and were approved by the FDA.

Known for corporate social and environmental responsibility, HBI’s program, Hanes For Good, has participated in many relief efforts. They also work on a daily basis to ensure their products are responsibly sourced, renewable and that its employees work in safe facilities with competitive wages.

Sources: Winston-Salem Journal, ABC News, Hanesbrand.com