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SPARMS AND FACE MASKS


We are an Australian company that specialises in sun protection apparel. 10 years ago we had a vision to change culture for people to take sun protection more seriously and COVER UP. We are now the leading sun protection brand in the golf industry, where over 200 highly recognised golfers wear our sun sleeves worldwide.

Since the outbreak of COVID 19 hitting Australia and the rest of the world earlier this year, our business has slowly diminished to a standstill with the closure of golf courses and lock downs across the world.

As a company passionate about finding innovative solutions to problems, it made sense to design and manufacture face masks. With our passion for innovation for “protection” and our manufacturing capabilities, we could not sit back and simply wait for the pandemic to pass us.

We had a choice to rest, send our staff home and close office but instead we took this time to take a risk and work around the clock to create a face mask for ordinary people. After much research, we started to design and work on a face mask initially for our local community to donate, but with the growing need for face masks, we decided to scale up and manufacture quality masks for the community. Making masks have been a similar process in making our sun sleeves. There were social risks attached to this, as the application of sleeves and masks were equally not socially accepted practices in the western world.

SParms accepted this new challenge to make a difference once again, so even before face masks were encouraged by authorities, in March 2020, we decided to proceed with the development of our first edition.

THE PROBLEM


  • There is a shortage of face masks around the world.
  • Governments are placing trade bans of face masks across international borders.
  • Front line medical workers are facing shortages on medical/surgical grade face masks. Price gouging of face masks are seen all around the world due to shortage.
  • There's not enough valuable information and education on face masks with mixed messages about the effectiveness of face masks for viral protection.
  • There has been a degree of stigma around wearing face masks in western society in that only the “sick/ill” wear face masks.
  • Disposable masks are not a feasible solution in addressing a pandemic.
  • It would be physically impossible for everyone to use daily a new mask (expensive and unnecessary).
  • Also consider the environmental implications of billions of people having to use a new mask daily.

OUR VISION


To design and manufacture a reusable, sustainable and affordable solution to help everyone get through a tough time.

Our mission is to enhance the local community's awareness for the NEED of face masks, help prevent transmission (any type of virus/infection), have high quality reusable fabric masks available to the public and leave the surgical grade masks for the frontline healthcare workers.

To create a culture to protect our communities, friends and families from creating a barrier of the respiratory droplets from escaping and potentially infecting someone.

Economical. Environmentally friendly. High quality reusable fabric face masks for everyone (kids to adult sizes available).

Why wear a mask?


If you need to leave your house to go buy essentials, have to go to work or education or meet your doctor for regular check ups - this fabric mask can be the barrier of any potential transmission of respiratory tract. You don't have to be sick to wear a mask.
There are still countless people in offices, retail and construction who turn up to work, engaging with others, essentially being exposed to higher risk of transmission. These essential workers need masks.

Who is this mask for?


This daily fabric mask is for anyone and everyone. Whether you are senior citizens, have chronic medical condition(s), meet a lot of people or just want to cover up from your pollen allergies this mask will assist you with living your daily life with less restrictions.
Step back into reality after COVID-19 with the broader understanding of preventing and protecting yourself and your community by wearing a mask.

Market Research


The attitude towards face masks is quite different between the Western and Asian cultures.

It is very common to see the wider community in Asian countries wearing masks even if they are not unwell.

n some countries wearing masks outdoors in public is compulsory and even without such regulations, in most cases, you would see more people wearing them than not.

Although other reasons would exist, having the history of suffering from other respiratory infections such as SARS and MERS causes many Asians to be diligent in wearing face masks out in public.

This in short, brings us to the conclusion that face masks are useful and if available, should be worn where it is
feasible.

Slowly due the current pandemic, a couple of European countries have implemented the practice of wearing masks when outdoors to prevent further transmission.

Further over the past weeks various Western governments authorities and WHO are starting to change their official position on masks, moving towards recommending them where available.

Although fabric face masks are not as efficient in filtering the micro particles of our respiratory tract than the surgical masks used by the medical practitioners, it is a practical and easy way protect yourself and community with peace of mind.

SPARMS AND FACE MASKS


We are an Australian company that specialises in sun protection apparel. 10 years ago we had a vision to change culture for people to take sun protection more seriously and COVER UP. We are now the leading sun protection brand in the golf industry, where over 200 highly recognised golfers wear our sun sleeves worldwide.

Since the outbreak of COVID 19 hitting Australia and the rest of the world earlier this year, our business has slowly diminished to a standstill with the closure of golf courses and lock downs across the world.

As a company passionate about finding innovative solutions to problems, it made sense to design and manufacture face masks. With our passion for innovation for “protection” and our manufacturing capabilities, we could not sit back and simply wait for the pandemic to pass us.

We had a choice to rest, send our staff home and close office but instead we took this time to take a risk and work around the clock to create a face mask for ordinary people. After much research, we started to design and work on a face mask initially for our local community to donate, but with the growing need for face masks, we decided to scale up and manufacture quality masks for the community. Making masks have been a similar process in making our sun sleeves. There were social risks attached to this, as the application of sleeves and masks were equally not socially accepted practices in the western world.

SParms accepted this new challenge to make a difference once again, so even before face masks were encouraged by authorities, in March 2020, we decided to proceed with the development of our first edition.

THE PROBLEM


  • There is a shortage of face masks around the world.
  • Governments are placing trade bans of face masks across international borders.
  • Front line medical workers are facing shortages on medical/surgical grade face masks. Price gouging of face masks are seen all around the world due to shortage.
  • There's not enough valuable information and education on face masks with mixed messages about the effectiveness of face masks for viral protection.
  • There has been a degree of stigma around wearing face masks in western society in that only the “sick/ill” wear face masks.
  • Disposable masks are not a feasible solution in addressing a pandemic.
  • It would be physically impossible for everyone to use daily a new mask (expensive and unnecessary).
  • Also consider the environmental implications of billions of people having to use a new mask daily.

OUR VISION


To design and manufacture a reusable, sustainable and affordable solution to help everyone get through a tough time.

Our mission is to enhance the local community's awareness for the NEED of face masks, help prevent transmission (any type of virus/infection), have high quality reusable fabric masks available to the public and leave the surgical grade masks for the frontline healthcare workers.

To create a culture to protect our communities, friends and families from creating a barrier of the respiratory droplets from escaping and potentially infecting someone.

Economical. Environmentally friendly. High quality reusable fabric face masks for everyone (kids to adult sizes available).

Who is this mask for?


This daily fabric mask is for anyone and everyone. Whether you are senior citizens, have chronic medical condition(s), meet a lot of people or just want to cover up from your pollen allergies this mask will assist you with living your daily life with less restrictions.
Step back into reality after COVID-19 with the broader understanding of preventing and protecting yourself and your community by wearing a mask.

Why wear a mask?


If you need to leave your house to go buy essentials, have to go to work or education or meet your doctor for regular check ups - this fabric mask can be the barrier of any potential transmission of respiratory tract. You don't have to be sick to wear a mask.
There are still countless people in offices, retail and construction who turn up to work, engaging with others, essentially being exposed to higher risk of transmission. These essential workers need masks.

Market Research


The attitude towards face masks is quite different between the Western and Asian cultures.

It is very common to see the wider community in Asian countries wearing masks even if they are not unwell.

n some countries wearing masks outdoors in public is compulsory and even without such regulations, in most cases, you would see more people wearing them than not.

Although other reasons would exist, having the history of suffering from other respiratory infections such as SARS and MERS causes many Asians to be diligent in wearing face masks out in public.

This in short, brings us to the conclusion that face masks are useful and if available, should be worn where it is
feasible.

Slowly due the current pandemic, a couple of European countries have implemented the practice of wearing masks when outdoors to prevent further transmission.

Further over the past weeks various Western governments authorities and WHO are starting to change their official position on masks, moving towards recommending them where available.

Although fabric face masks are not as efficient in filtering the micro particles of our respiratory tract than the surgical masks used by the medical practitioners, it is a practical and easy way protect yourself and community with peace of mind.