One Door Closes, Another Door Opens

You're reading Big Buzz  
breaking news  ​in the ​Shoofly Magazine

This Waveland business was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic – but not in the way you might think.
 
- Story by Lisa Monti
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Infinity-AP co-owner Rick Bradley (2016 file photo)

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Infinity-AP, which fabricates retail storefronts for major companies at its Waveland facility, has shifted gears. Workers are now making face shields to help protect Ochsner Medical personnel on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.
 
The company recently contracted with a medical supplier to produce the shields and the bracket that attaches to the head. The orders came at a time when the company’s work had come to a standstill because of the COVID-19 crisis.
 
Production began March 27 and by April 1, workers had already turned out 11,500 shields. “We are just grateful that we can help in a time of need and utilize our machinery that would be sitting idle when our normal business came to a near-halt,” said Alyssa Foley, who heads Infinity’s sales and marketing.
 

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​Company co-owner Rick Bradley oversees the Waveland operation, which opened in 2016 in the vacant 84 Lumber building (see story here). In addition to renovating the space, Infinity-AP installed $750,000 worth of equipment needed to fabricate storefronts for such major retailer customers as Victoria’s Secret and Abercrombie & Fitch.
 
Infinity-AP’s management and workers are used to responding to change, so the shift from storefronts to face shields came naturally. “We are in retail, so we are used to adapting to changing environments and evolving our products to fit our customers’ needs,” Foley said.
 
The production of face shields is helping to keep the operation going and 18 employees working, Foley said. They’re also working on a prototype for cash wraps for businesses at the register, she said. "This has allowed us to maintain a staff running seven days a week.”