By YUKIHIRO MATSUMOTO/ Staff Writer
May 4, 2020 at 07:00 JST
YOKOHAMA--A yacht sailcloth manufacturer has changed course to supplying medical gowns, in the hopes of helping put the wind at the back of health care workers to stem the outbreak of the new coronavirus.
With the Tokyo Olympics delayed a year, North Sails Japan Inc. in Kanazawa Ward here is doing its part to help stop the spread of the deadly virus.
“We have to contain the infection quickly so people will enjoy sailing, and the Olympics will take place a year later,” said Junichiro Shiraishi, 45, the chief one design adviser for North Sails Japan. “If I have anything I can do to help achieve that, I want to devote myself to it.”
The company, which provides its sail products to top athletes all over the world, is making the gowns for use at hospitals amid supply shortages, using its canvas material.
According to company representatives, the decision was made when a doctor who likes sailing complained to North Sails Japan about “the difficulty in procuring gowns for medical purposes.”
As the manufacturer’s techniques to realize delicately curved sail designs and to sew up cloth to block air and water can be utilized for making medical coats, North Sails Japan completed a prototype suit within five days by using the thin cloth for a tailwind sail.
A physician reacted positively to a finished gown, inspiring North Sails Japan to begin accepting orders and starting full-fledged production on April 13.
Already equipped with a machine to cut the same pattern from many pieces of cloth simultaneously as well as other kinds of equipment, the firm is looking to make as many medical suits as possible to keep up with demand.
The rapidly developed product, however, has some disadvantages.
Though the health ministry’s guidelines on disinfection and sterilization based on the infectious disease law stipulates that “disposable suits should be used, in principle,” North Sails Japan’s gown is designed to be washed and used repeatedly.
Another problem is that while its ability to block impurities is excellent, the new coat makes the wearers sweat more easily and is vulnerable to fire.
North Sails Japan is looking to share its new product with health care providers, allowing them to decide whether to introduce it at their medical institutions.
Since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, North Sails Japan has been supplying sail to gold medalists in the 470 class sailing event, where Japanese athletes are highly competitive, for six consecutive Games.
Its products are used by more than 80 percent of 470 class boats across the globe, according to company officials.
For more information, visit North Sails Japan’s website at (http://www.jp.onedesign.com/) or contact the company by e-mail at (infojp@northsails.com).
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A medical gown made with sailcloth (Provided by North Sails Japan Inc.)
