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April 16, 2020

Wallingford woodworking company makes face shields during crisis

Photo | Contributed Co-owner Mike Zurlis models one of Sorrento Fine Woodwork’s face shields.
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

A Wallingford kitchen cabinet maker found business disappearing after the coronavirus pandemic hit, so it made a big change.

Now the company, Sorrento Fine Woodwork LLC, is working with plastic instead of wood, at least temporarily. It has switched to making protective face shields until the home-furnishings market recovers and the staff can get back to making and installing cabinetry. 

Mark Burlison, a co-owner of the business along with Mike Zurlis, said they really wanted to keep their employees working.

“We saw a need in the community for these face shields,” Burlison said. “We have shut down production of our cabinets for now. We don’t want to send people out in the field, and people don’t want workers in their homes. So, we’ve changed direction for now.”

They initially expected their customers would be primarily in the medical community, but they have found the need and demand for the face shields to be more widespread.

First responders, including police, fire and emergency medical personnel, have been interested in their product. They have also sold shields to customers they never expected, including funeral home workers, plumbers, food service workers, dentists, hair stylists and veterinarians. They are also reaching out to nursing homes and hospitals.

According to Burlison, many of these smaller companies have encountered difficulty getting face shields because they need only a handful. Larger manufacturers are typically seeking to fill orders for large quantities — such as thousands of shields. In addition, many who need face shields are encountering long waits for product delivery, he said.

“While we cannot produce at those levels, we have inventory on hand, and can produce sufficient product to meet the needs of these less medically critical businesses as they continue to operate or prepare to reopen,” the company indicated in an announcement.

The company can make 5,000 face shields weekly. Their orders come in bulk lots of 10 shields, which are made of clear polycarbonate plastic.

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