Posted by National Independent Flag Dealers Association on 5/7/2020 to
Legislation
When Governor Cuomo of New York announced a “Call-To-Action” on March 20th, 2020, (one week after President Trump declared a State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 Pandemic) for New Yorkers to start sewing face masks, one NIFDA Member got straight to work, collaborating with fellow NIFDA members for potential solutions, prototypes, patterns, sourcing materials, and capabilities to ramp up to scale to meet the high demand for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Saratoga Flag Company, located in Upstate New York, began sewing prototype face masks and contacted all of the Local, State and Federal Government Representatives to offer manufacturing assistance for the critical needs outlined by Governor Cuomo.
“As an Eagle Scout Family, we do our best to serve our Community, God and Country, so when local first responders expressed a need for face masks, we did not hesitate to shift our resources to this product-line.” JP Spinelli stated, “We are humbled and honored to be recognized as an Essential Business, and will remain open to serve our community, the U.S. Flag Industry and the American supply chain, which continues working to serve our fellow Americans during this time of crisis.”
Many other NIFDA (National Independent Flag Dealers Association) members were also working on face mask solutions in a variety of cities and states across the country.
Valley Forge Flag, a 4th generation family-owned and operated business since 1882, is one of the largest USA Flag Manufacturers in the country. Their factories in South Carolina and Alabama initially started sewing face masks to provide PPE solutions for their employees and now offer the face masks in mass quantity, to their Independent Dealers for resale.
Valley Forge continues to adhere to all of the CDC Guidelines for their facilities (creating a safe environment for their workforce), so they can continue to sew the stars and stripes for our Nation to fly the American Flag and stand united, as they have done successfully for 138 years.
FlagSource, a 4th generation family business in Illinois (celebrating their 100th Anniversary), in addition to manufacturing flags, was also busy producing barrier face masks for seniors and the manufacturing community in Illinois.
Janice Christiansen, former chairman of the Illinois Manufacturers Association, worked with the “IMA” who identified member-manufacturing companies, that could be a resource for needed products.
Illinois Governor Pritzker worked with Illinois manufacturers and allowed a self-certification to manufacturers, based on their ability to provide necessary products or their part in the supply chain to manufacturers supplying essential products.
“FlagSource is proud to manufacture both flags and face masks to help.” stated FlagSource Owner, Spencer Christiansen, “We are committed to support dealers whenever possible.”
Dixie Flag Company, a 62 year old family-business in San Antonio Texas, has also developed face mask options, together with their local and state health departments, enabling them to keep all of their sewers working overtime six days a week to meet the high demand for PPE.
“I do not think there is anything more patriotic in this moment, than coming together to support our Country and communities in this mask making effort;” said Vanessa Van De Putte, President, Dixie Flag Company.
The Flag Center, a woman-owned business in Wisconsin, has also shifted production from flags to face masks. In the weeks since the virus has hit, they have manufactured thousands of masks and donated 20% of their efforts to local organizations from oncology departments and hospice care to the Milwaukee Police Department.
"We want everyone to stay safe, and stay healthy and stay positive;" said Kristin Boyle, President of Flag Center. “Just keep on moving forward, and eventually, we'll get to that good place again."
Showdown Displays in Minnesota & Alabama, stepped up to the plate to sew face masks, and also offers Shelter Tents, Temporary Wall Barriers, Social Distancing Signage and barriers.
AMI Graphics in Florida and New Hampshire, developed a new PPE product, “Intelishield Protective Barriers;” to help keep businesses operational while providing protection to both employees and customers.
DISRUPTION OF THE DOMESTIC SUPPLY CHAIN PROHIBITED VIABLE SOLUTIONS
Unfortunately, a number of flag businesses were not able to secure ESSENTIAL BUSINESS Designation from their Governor prior to their state-mandated Shut-downs. This disruption of the supply chain, particularly within the USA flag industry, created overwhelming challenges to address the increasing demands for face masks.
National Flag Company (a 151 year-old 5th generation Family Business in Ohio), was working with Saratoga Flag on prototype face masks when their Cincinnati plant was required to furlough all of their sewers, due to Governor DeWine’s executive shut-down order in March.
Fortunately, National Flag President Art Schaller, was still able to donate and ship the much-needed fabric to New York for face masks, even though the company will be facing an uphill struggle to recover from the devastating loss of business due to the Mandated Shut-Down.
Flagzone, a major USA Flag manufacturing plant located in Pennsylvania, was also working on face mask options with Saratoga Flag, (as well as with Tower Health and LeHigh Valley Health Network in Pennsylvania), when their facility was abruptly shut-down on March 20th, as a result of Governor Wolf’s mandate for non-life sustaining businesses to close.
Dan Ziegler, President of FlagZone, immediately applied to the State of Pennsylvania for Essential Business Designation. However, he has not received any update from any State officials to date. Currently, the State of PA website will no longer accept new requests for Exemptions to the “Business Shut-down” mandate.
Ziegler has also reached out to numerous health officials and local municipalities for assistance in obtaining the same essential designation that many other Pennsylvania manufacturing facilities have been granted.
“Many fear that the State of Pennsylvania will not be recognizing our American Veterans this Memorial Day, as a result of the closure of the FlagZone facility;” Ziegler stated. “We continue to plan to ramp-up production capabilities as soon as we are granted “Life-sustaining Essential Designation,” and our employees return to work. Our mission remains: to proudly produce our national symbol, The American Flag, which represents the freedoms our Veterans have selflessly sacrificed since our Country’s founding during the American Revolution.”
Annin Flagmakers, a 6th Generation Family Business founded in NYC in 1847, is the largest maker of USA flags in America. Annin shuttered the doors of their 152,000 square foot Ohio manufacturing facility, as a result of the Ohio Shut-down mandate.
Annin’s 186,000 square foot plant in Virginia has maintained operations throughout the pandemic, while the New Jersey Corporate Office has their staff working remotely from their respective homes.
SARATOGA FLAG LEADS THE LAUNCH OF THE ONLINE CAMPAIGN: #UnitedWeStandAmerica
Saratoga Flag Company, located in Upstate New York, began sewing prototype face masks and contacted all of the Local, State and Federal Government Representatives to offer manufacturing assistance for the critical needs outlined by Governor Cuomo.
“As an Eagle Scout Family, we do our best to serve our Community, God and Country, so when local first responders expressed a need for face masks, we did not hesitate to shift our resources to this product-line.” JP Spinelli stated, “We are humbled and honored to be recognized as an Essential Business, and will remain open to serve our community, the U.S. Flag Industry and the American supply chain, which continues working to serve our fellow Americans during this time of crisis.”
Many other NIFDA (National Independent Flag Dealers Association) members were also working on face mask solutions in a variety of cities and states across the country.
Valley Forge Flag, a 4th generation family-owned and operated business since 1882, is one of the largest USA Flag Manufacturers in the country. Their factories in South Carolina and Alabama initially started sewing face masks to provide PPE solutions for their employees and now offer the face masks in mass quantity, to their Independent Dealers for resale.
Valley Forge continues to adhere to all of the CDC Guidelines for their facilities (creating a safe environment for their workforce), so they can continue to sew the stars and stripes for our Nation to fly the American Flag and stand united, as they have done successfully for 138 years.
FlagSource, a 4th generation family business in Illinois (celebrating their 100th Anniversary), in addition to manufacturing flags, was also busy producing barrier face masks for seniors and the manufacturing community in Illinois.
Janice Christiansen, former chairman of the Illinois Manufacturers Association, worked with the “IMA” who identified member-manufacturing companies, that could be a resource for needed products.
Illinois Governor Pritzker worked with Illinois manufacturers and allowed a self-certification to manufacturers, based on their ability to provide necessary products or their part in the supply chain to manufacturers supplying essential products.
“FlagSource is proud to manufacture both flags and face masks to help.” stated FlagSource Owner, Spencer Christiansen, “We are committed to support dealers whenever possible.”
Dixie Flag Company, a 62 year old family-business in San Antonio Texas, has also developed face mask options, together with their local and state health departments, enabling them to keep all of their sewers working overtime six days a week to meet the high demand for PPE.
“I do not think there is anything more patriotic in this moment, than coming together to support our Country and communities in this mask making effort;” said Vanessa Van De Putte, President, Dixie Flag Company.
The Flag Center, a woman-owned business in Wisconsin, has also shifted production from flags to face masks. In the weeks since the virus has hit, they have manufactured thousands of masks and donated 20% of their efforts to local organizations from oncology departments and hospice care to the Milwaukee Police Department.
"We want everyone to stay safe, and stay healthy and stay positive;" said Kristin Boyle, President of Flag Center. “Just keep on moving forward, and eventually, we'll get to that good place again."
Showdown Displays in Minnesota & Alabama, stepped up to the plate to sew face masks, and also offers Shelter Tents, Temporary Wall Barriers, Social Distancing Signage and barriers.
AMI Graphics in Florida and New Hampshire, developed a new PPE product, “Intelishield Protective Barriers;” to help keep businesses operational while providing protection to both employees and customers.
DISRUPTION OF THE DOMESTIC SUPPLY CHAIN PROHIBITED VIABLE SOLUTIONS
Unfortunately, a number of flag businesses were not able to secure ESSENTIAL BUSINESS Designation from their Governor prior to their state-mandated Shut-downs. This disruption of the supply chain, particularly within the USA flag industry, created overwhelming challenges to address the increasing demands for face masks.
National Flag Company (a 151 year-old 5th generation Family Business in Ohio), was working with Saratoga Flag on prototype face masks when their Cincinnati plant was required to furlough all of their sewers, due to Governor DeWine’s executive shut-down order in March.
Fortunately, National Flag President Art Schaller, was still able to donate and ship the much-needed fabric to New York for face masks, even though the company will be facing an uphill struggle to recover from the devastating loss of business due to the Mandated Shut-Down.
Flagzone, a major USA Flag manufacturing plant located in Pennsylvania, was also working on face mask options with Saratoga Flag, (as well as with Tower Health and LeHigh Valley Health Network in Pennsylvania), when their facility was abruptly shut-down on March 20th, as a result of Governor Wolf’s mandate for non-life sustaining businesses to close.
Dan Ziegler, President of FlagZone, immediately applied to the State of Pennsylvania for Essential Business Designation. However, he has not received any update from any State officials to date. Currently, the State of PA website will no longer accept new requests for Exemptions to the “Business Shut-down” mandate.
Ziegler has also reached out to numerous health officials and local municipalities for assistance in obtaining the same essential designation that many other Pennsylvania manufacturing facilities have been granted.
“Many fear that the State of Pennsylvania will not be recognizing our American Veterans this Memorial Day, as a result of the closure of the FlagZone facility;” Ziegler stated. “We continue to plan to ramp-up production capabilities as soon as we are granted “Life-sustaining Essential Designation,” and our employees return to work. Our mission remains: to proudly produce our national symbol, The American Flag, which represents the freedoms our Veterans have selflessly sacrificed since our Country’s founding during the American Revolution.”
Annin Flagmakers, a 6th Generation Family Business founded in NYC in 1847, is the largest maker of USA flags in America. Annin shuttered the doors of their 152,000 square foot Ohio manufacturing facility, as a result of the Ohio Shut-down mandate.
Annin’s 186,000 square foot plant in Virginia has maintained operations throughout the pandemic, while the New Jersey Corporate Office has their staff working remotely from their respective homes.
SARATOGA FLAG LEADS THE LAUNCH OF THE ONLINE CAMPAIGN: #UnitedWeStandAmerica
NIFDA supports the Online Campaign, #UnitedWeStandAmerica, requesting the U.S. Government Recognize the U.S. Flag Industry Manufacturers and Suppliers as ESSENTIAL!
The American Flag remains a Symbol of Hope, Unifies Americans; and increases Morale & Support, which are Essential to Survival through a Crisis.
The U.S. Flag industry rises to many challenges and will not let fellow Americans down during a crisis. Production lines can be re-tooled for emergency product-lines during a crisis, (such as face masks for a pandemic).
All stakeholders within the domestic U.S. Flag industry are passionate about keeping our fellow Americans sewing the stars and stripes, offering only United States flags made in the USA, and sometimes face masks too. NIFDA is encouraging the support of the flag industry manufacturers and material suppliers to be recognized as essential, so they can continue the production and distribution of U.S. flags and prevent the import sales of U.S. flags made in China. NIFDA dealer members all across the country are operating in accordance with state mandated guidelines and are available for U.S. flag sales and service. Check with your local dealer for service options.
The National Independent Flag Dealers Association (NIFDA) is a nationwide non-profit trade organization, representing members in the USA & Canada. NIFDA is committed to the manufacture and sale of American Flags, which are Made in the U.S.A.; and supports its members within the flag and flagpole industry through annual conferences, the exchange of ideas, networking forums and community outreach through ongoing education.
#UnitedWeStandAmerica Sign the Petition: https://www.change.org/USflagEssential
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