Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find the answers to frequently asked questions. If your question isn’t on the list, don’t hesitate to contact us!
For whom are the face masks suitable?
We make 3-layer surgical masks type IIR. These masks are used in hospitals, by dentists and by home health care workers and elderly care workers. Our masks are not FFP2 and FFP3 masks.
Is the Mondmaskerfabriek certified?
Yes, the Mondmaskerfabriek is certified. We work with an external organization that certifies surgical masks and tests them in the laboratory measuring bacterial cultures.
Who can buy the face masks?
We welcome everyone to become our customer. We deliver the lion’s share of our masks to the Landelijk Consortium Hulpmiddelen. We are in contact with medical wholesalers as well.
How many masks can you make?
At our peak capacity, we are able to produce one million face masks per week. In a crisis we can easily scale up production to 18 million per month.
Who works in the factory?
The Mondmaskerfabriek is an initiative of entrepreneurs from the network of Refugee Company. Refugee Company offers 50 people with a refugee background the opportunity to gain work experience and find a new sense of purpose. They were invited by us to apply for a job via ‘open hiring’ at the Mondmaskerfabriek, next to people who were born and raised in the Netherlands. Work experience is not necessary, but motivation and enthusiasm are appreciated!
How does it work with profit in a social enterprise?
The Mondmaskerfabriek was set up with the idea of creating jobs for people with a refugee background, providing them with work experience and at the same time producing the much-needed face masks locally. We put 70% of all our profit back into the company so we are able to help more people with a job, protect more healthcare professionals, and at the same time, keep the production chain local. This year we were able to make a big donation to Refugee Company, to fund their programs.
Who owns the Mondmaskerfabriek?
Entrepreneurs Fleur Bakker, Johan Blom and Naz Kawan are the owners. The foundation Refugee Company has a priority share. We could not have done it alone, we got a lot of support from companies like KLM, the Philips Foundation, Philips, Friends for Brands, Rabobank Arnhem and surrounding areas, Qredits and Qing.
Can you volunteer at the Mondmaskerfabriek?
We do not need volunteers at this time. Volunteers have been called in, such as Debora Timmerman, designer of change processes and expert in communication at Groener Gras. But also Menno Blom, former COO Aviko, who helped us to establish the production chain and get the certification. And Olaf van den Brink, former director of logistics at Bol.com, who helped us set up our logistics and distribution.
How are the employees paid?
Our employees have a paid job and get a 7-month contract in accordance with the Dutch collective labour agreement for the fashion, interior, carpet and textile industry (MITT). Employees also build up a pension. ‘Most employees make six hour shifts for four days a week and get paid an extra four hours, which can be used for additional training, personal coaching or Dutch language lessons. We also offer additional opportunities, like obtaining a forklift certificate.