Posted April 9, 2020

 

COLZATE, Bergamo, Italy – Itema Group, a multinational unit of the Radici world of companies manufacturing advanced weaving solutions, announced the donation of KN95 and surgical masks to Papa Giovanni XXIII and Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospitals in Bergamo, to the Municipality of Vertova and to the nursing home Casa San Giuseppe of Gazzaniga.

 

Itema immediately rushed in the search for face masks for the protection, in the first place, of its employees from the COVID-19 spreading and, with the support of its headquarters in China, it has been possible to find the necessary equipment to cover its internal needs. But how could Itema not think of the territory that hosts the company and that has been so severely affected by this health emergency?

 

In the words of its CEO, Ugo Ghilardi: “As Itema, we are facing this moment with the utmost seriousness and awareness. Pending the resumption of activities, we are working to create a safe working environment to protect our employees’ health. We are also analyzing all possible recovery scenarios, to ensure to those who work with us the support of a healthy company, even financially and economically wise. This focus on the world around us could not fail to make us notice the need of those who are committed to the frontline in the struggle of this fearful invisible enemy and, hence, the choice to make our contribution with the donation of 25,000 masks. We are grateful to our territory and we could not forget it right now.”

 

Itema donated masks type surgical and KN95, a code that describes the Chinese protection standard equivalent to the American N95 which, in turn, reflects the main characteristics of the FPP2 masks. The KN95 masks refer to the EN 149: 2001 A1: 2009 standards, a mandatory certification to import them in Italy and which guarantees the highest quality standards.

 

“When, at the end of January, the coronavirus emergency broke out in China, our Chinese branch turned to us to find face masks and infrared thermometers, which where impossible to be found in China,” said Matteo Facchetti, Itema Group purchasing director. “We immediately took action to send the necessary protections to the 200 employees of Itema China in Shanghai and, at that juncture, we realized that these items supplies were already worldwide scarce. After just over a month, it was our turn to ask for support to our Chinese colleagues and, I must recognize, that the generosity and helpfulness they showed us have been clearly higher than expectations.

 

“In fact,” he continued, “we found in our Shanghai branch and in its general manager Eng. Lorenzo Maffioli a solid help. Part of the face masks received from China are intended to cover our internal needs while the rest will be donated. In fact, we will donate 10,000 masks to the Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, 10,000 masks to Humanitas Gavazzeni hospital, another 3,000 to the Municipality of Vertova and 2,000 to the nursing home Casa San Giuseppe of Gazzaniga. It is only thanks to our colleagues and friends in China that Itema has the opportunity to protect its staff and to give a little help to the Bergamo area.”

 

Key testimony to understand the importance of these contributions comes from Humanitas Gavazzeni hospital.

 

“In this context of general uncertainty, there are two certainties that we have: the first is that personal protective equipment is the main weapon for those who must treat Covid-19 patients; the second is that we are not alone in this battle,” said Giuseppe Fraizzoli, CEO of Humanitas Gavazzeni. “Despite the difficulties of the period, which has seen our multi-specialist hospital devoted to innovation transformed into a center totally dedicated to COVID-19 patients, we know that there are many companies and people who support us. Thank you for this valuable gift that will allow our doctors and nurses to continue doing their job safely.”

 

Orlando Gualdi, mayor of Vertova –a village close to Colzate in the Seriana Valley of Bergamo, ndr – explained how the 3,000 masks received by Itema will be used by his Municipality.

 

“We will donate 500 masks to the IPS Cardinal Gusmini Onlus Foundation, which manages numerous institutions dedicated to the care of the elderly and the sick and, the remaining masks, will be distributed by volunteers door to door to the elderly and people at risk in our village,” he said. “I thank Itema for the contribution that I do not call important, but fundamental. The fact that a company like Itema has remembered us makes us understand how solidarity in this Valley is strong and present in the spirit of all its activities.”

 

Itema Group said it hopes these masks can effectively help health professionals, doctors, nurses, patients and citizens to protect themselves, and that they may symbolize the gratitude and solidarity that Itema wants to demonstrate to those who, most of all, are doing the impossible for the fight against COVID-19.

 

Source: Itema Group