Photos: Michael Waltz goes 'undercover' at FitUSA

FitUSA began manufacturing personal protective equipment in March.

By Jarleene Almenas
| 4:30 p.m. October 8, 2020

FitUSA President Troy Olson and U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz by the company's new equipment to make surgical face masks. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz sews his own face mask inside FitUSA on Wednesday, Oc. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz gets tips from FitUSA employees on Wednesday, Oc. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz sews his own face mask at FitUSA on Wednesday, Oc. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz holds up a finished face mask inside FitUSA on Wednesday, Oc. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz and FitUSA President Troy Olson speak about operations. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Ormond Beach Observer
News

U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz went "undercover" at a local Ormond Beach manufacturer on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

As part of his "Undercover Congressman" program, Waltz took on mask sewing at FitUSA. Staff showed him the ropes and the congressman tried his hand at making his own masks.

Previously, FitUSA, whose plant is located in the Airport Business Park, manufactured sports apparel but began producing personal protective equipment in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. It produces face masks, gowns and hospital curtains, according to a press release. Its workforce has also increased to 100.

This story was updated at 6:05 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, with new information on the future of FitUSA.

What's next for FitUSA?

A move could be on the horizon for FitUSA's personal protective equipment manufacturing operations, as President Troy Olson weighs an incentive package offered by the state of Georgia.

While Olson said he can't disclose the dollar figure of the incentive, he said it is "substantially larger than what Florida has."

Transitioning his business from apparel to personal protective equipment opened new doors for FitUSA and Olson said they recently earned a contract to produce disposable masks. That will allow him to add 350 jobs, but it is a $13 million venture including equipment, new employees and needed certifications, according to Olson.

"This is one of those projects that we need help," Olson said. "I'm a small business trying to grow into something that the country needs."

He said he's hoping Waltz will help them at the state level to get that help, but without an incentive from the state, he has to "do the math" as a business owner and move the personal protective equipment operations to Georgia.

He wishes to keep the sports apparel side of the business in Ormond Beach, however, and additionally, is hoping to expand it.

"I'm going to do everything in my power to keep everything I have here because it's my staff that has stepped up to the plate and has made the difference in ppe," he said.