PPB July 2020

Since we have a full cut-and-sew operation, it was easy for us to start producing masks. When we brought the idea to our team, they were excited that we, as a company, would be helping so many people stay safe. During this time, we have been providing PPE and items to health-care workers so they can stay safe. Lac-Drolet, Quebec We have been hearing it since March: “We may all be weathering the same storm, but we are not all in the same boat.” After the mandatory shutdown of nonessential businesses, our small community was in trouble. When you run a business in a town of only 1,100 people, getting individuals back to work was something that weighed heavily on our minds. Attraction had to completely turn the business upside down and “build a new boat” to survive—not just for our company, but for our community. Keeping our goal of producing ethical and sustainable products in mind, we shifted from apparel production to the production of organic cotton face masks and medical gowns. Within two weeks of the mandatory closure, Attraction was proud to re-open as an essential service. It was important for us to find a way to contribute to the fight against COVID-19, while respecting our values of offering ethical and sustainable PPE products. We are proud that some of the PPE has gone to health-care workers and companies across Canada and the USA. Today, our employees are producing 12,000 masks a day. They are happy to be back at work and extremely thankful for the fast action we took to recreate our business. They know we have always prioritized their security and wellbeing. How you act in the face of a crisis really shines a light on who you are as an employer. We don’t know what the future will bring, but we are confident that with our team behind us, we can weather the storm. WANT TO SHARE YOUR COMPANY’S STORY? Check the Weekly newsletter’s section, Some Heroes Wear Branded Capes; we are sharing stories every week. Submit your story today. Jonathan Strauss is president and CEO of Promotional Product Professionals of Canada (PPPC). | JULY 2020 | 81 CONNECT