When many companies in West Virginia temporarily closed in late March to try and contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris Atkins was worried.
Atkins, the owner of City Neon Inc., a Morgantown sign building and erection business started by his grandfather Earl “Bud” Atkins in 1948, had a small backlog of business. But, it was not going to be enough revenue to keep all of his 35 employees on the payroll, and no one knew for sure how long the pandemic could last or when the state would ease its restrictions on business.
Something had to be done.
Through Facebook and other social media outlets, Atkins found another sign company — based in Wisconsin — had started making face guards for health care workers. It was an “ah ha” moment for Atkins. This was something his staff could make.
“We had some of the materials,” he said. “And I wanted everyone to keep working. We’re a third-generation company, and we never have had to lay anyone off.”
Through some simple engineering in early April, City Neon employees began assembling plastic face masks and sneeze guards — clear Plexiglas shields — for customers in West Virginia and in the Uniontown, Pa. area.
“But, we want to take care of our own state first,” Atkins said.
At first, it took City Neon workers eight hours to make 100 face shields, which include clear Plexiglas, a foam headrest on the inside and elastic to keep it in place. During the last month, the company now produces more than 10 times that amount, Atkins said.
“They are all made by hand,” he said, adding the ones from China are machine made. “Everyone here is appreciative because they still have jobs.”
The Plexiglas used in the disposable shields are cut in an oval shape so they will cover a person’s entire face.
The foam is then cut and placed on the inside of the shield and then the elastic is attached. It takes less than 10 minutes to assemble a face guard, Atkins said.
Prices vary from $6 for one face shield to $4.25 each when 1,000 or more are purchased. The sneeze guards, now commonly used in checkout lines and at banks, are available in 31.5-inch high by 23.75 inch wide for $65, and 31.5 inch high by 45 inches wide for $130. The sneeze guards can also be custom ordered.
“We have made them before,” Atkins said.
While Atkins found two products for his company to make, he found he had to do cold calling on potential customers, something that was not part of his usual duties.
But through social media, he got the word out about City Neon’s new product lines. Customers now include dental practices, medical providers, emergency services, hair stylists and local restaurants, as well as the state Department of Health and Human Services and the West Virginia National Guard, which purchased 2,500 face protectors — City Neon’s largest such order.
One thing Atkins admits he has found frustrating since he has started to make the face shields and sneeze guards is that some of the suppliers have raised their prices.
“The materials have gone up in price,” said Atkins, who has not raised his prices. “And we’re getting calls.”
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