Rene Ruiz Wholesale Inc. Manufactures Patented CAGEMASK at its Hialeah, Florida Design Studio
Rene Ruiz Collection, has entered a joint venture with renowned board certified Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Keith Hechtman, specializing in sports medicine; and Courtney Young, athletic director at Riviera Prep in Miami; to create CAGEMASK. The patented product offers athletic programs a solution to potentially reduce virus transmission now and into the future. It is distributed to high school, college, and professional athletic programs across the U.S.
Rene Ruiz Wholesale Inc. has pivoted from its evening gown production to also create the CAGEMASK products, so they are ready for immediate distribution, at a time when supply chains for other safety items have been drastically stretched. The company’s seamstresses are manufacturing many the shields at the company’s Hialeah design studio. The venture has provided employment for Rene Ruiz Wholesale Inc. employees while the evening gown business has decreased, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“CAGEMASK has a unique two-layer fabric construction, when combined with a visor, functions as a face shield while allowing heat dispersion and absorption of moisture to prevent fogging,” said Rosenblatt. “At Rene Ruiz Wholesale Inc., we are thrilled to partner with Dr. Hechtman and Courtney Young to manufacture these exceptional sports shields that can not only save lives, but also allow sports seasons to safely continue.”
The Washington Football Team, based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, has purchased CAGEMASKS to use during practice to reduce the spread of the virus between their practice squad and their first-string players. High schools from all over the nation have purchased the masks including Ransom Everglades School in Miami, to keep their student athletes healthy and safe. Broward County Public Schools plans to equip their entire system with CAGEMASKs for football, hockey, lacrosse and softball for the Spring 2021 semester.
“Broward County Public Schools always attempts to lead by example while infusing innovative concepts and products. We feel that these face coverings will provide a great service to our schools and add another layer of protection for our athletes,” said Director of Athletics and Student Activities for Broward County Public Schools Shawn M. Cerra.
CAGEMASK provides athletes with a cage shield that does not inhibit breathing or performance, and is consistent with current CDC guidance. Dr. Hechtman, founding member of the UHZ Sports Medicine Institute and the Miami Anatomic Research Center, designed the masks to allow athletes a freer flow of air while stopping the forward exhalation.
Dr. Hechtman served as an orthopedic surgeon in the U.S. Army and was a volunteer physician for the Olympics. For 32 years, he has served as head team physician for division 1 intercollegiate athletic programs.
After months of testing and working with doctors and players under CDC guidelines, Dr. Hechtman, Rosenblatt, and Young launched CAGEMASK with a patent to get players back onto the field safely.
CAGEMASK is reusable, washable, durable and adaptable. It attaches easily to a variety of helmet and cage designs. The stretch design also reduces the risk of injury of another player’s finger(s) from being caught between the cage and mask. It will not tear or rip. The middle of the mask/shield has two layers of fabric or plastic that are sewn into the snaps, elastic edging, and straps to ensure maximum durability.
It is available in two styles: black, two-layer fabric and clear polypropylene. The two-layer fabric mask is best suited to football linemen, who present the greatest need due to proximity to other players. The clear polypropylene CAGEMASK is transparent and adaptable for hockey, lacrosse, football, softball and youth baseball/t-ball.
The price for the fabric and polypropylene CAGEMASK is $29.95. Wholesale pricing is 14.95.
About CAGEMASK
CAGEMASK was developed with the goal of getting athletes safely back on the field. It was created by Dr. Keith Hechtman, Brad Rosenblatt of Rene Ruiz Wholesale Inc., and Riviera Prep school Athletic Director Courtney Young, who recognize the importance of safety first. A reusable, washable shield, CAGEMASK easily attaches to the protective cage with elastic and non-elastic straps, ensuring a snug fit against the inside of the cage. Since the CAGEMASK is attached to the cage as opposed to the face, athletes are able to breath in air more freely, thus reducing the challenges associated with playing competitive sports in the midst of a pandemic. For more information, visit https://cagemask.com or call 786-605-3129.
About the Rene Ruiz Collection
The Rene Ruiz Collection is sold nationally at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, in the company's two stores in South Florida (Boca Raton and Aventura), and at over 40 high-end specialty stores worldwide. Most recently, the Rene Ruiz Collection Atelier opened inside of Van Cleve, an iconic boutique that has flourished for over three decades in the Main Line in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Ruiz Collection Atelier was voted the 2018Main Line Today magazine's “Readers' Choice” for Best Bridal Shop and Best Evening Wear. The corporate office is located at 1055 East 15 Street, Hialeah, FL 33010. For more information or to contact the Rene Ruiz Collection, call 305.445.1766 or visit www.reneruiz.net.
