Kalencom Switches Gears to Make Protective Masks During Pandemic
Since 1971, Kalencom Corp. has been manufacturing high-quality diaper bags and baby accessories. Headquartered in New Orleans, the company operates both domestically and internationally and features four distinct brands.
Beyond Diaper Bags: Making Protective Masks
But during the COVID-19 pandemic, this big-hearted company switched gears. In less than four days, they managed to manufacture over 1,200 protective masks for the hard-hit city of New Orleans.
Kicker Kalozdi told a local news station that his family (the owners of Kalencom) lost everything in Hurricane Katrina—and after rebuilding, they knew they needed to give back.
“… Our business is not really that important right now,” Kalozdi told WDSU News. “Right now, we need to save our city, so our entire sewing operation, our team, that’s what we are focused on doing.”
The masks are not medical grade, but for first responders and essential workers, they are extremely useful during the supply shortage. Kalozdi noted that Kalencom’s team of professional sewers could also produce clothing covers and gowns if the need arose.
Fashion-Forward Diaper Bags
Before the coronavirus pandemic, Kalencom was best known for designing, manufacturing, and distributing products for new moms—including a wide selection of stylish diaper bags.
Featuring generous fold-out changing pads, storage pouches, magnetic closures, and easy-clean surfaces, the diaper bags are beloved both for their style and their practicality. The reasonable price points are also a draw for moms who crave high fashion but don’t want to break the bank.
Company co-founder Monica Kalozdi told a trade publication in 2009 that her goal was to create “high-quality, attractive fashionable product that is still very much in the affordable range.”
“We never wanted to be the Prada of diaper bags,” she told Furniture Today. “Rather we think of ourselves as Coach, a great name, great quality, and a company that we hope many return to for themselves or for gifts.”
Along with their popular diaper bags, the company offers a range of baby products, including seat belt pillows, practical potty-training products, and natural teething toys.
A Family-Run Company Gives Back
Founded by Jeno and Monica Kalozdi—parents of Kicker Kalozdi—Kalencom Corp. is no stranger to adversity. During Hurricane Katrina, a warehouse containing “hundreds of thousands of dollars of merchandise” was destroyed.
Rather than giving up, they came back—and now they’re giving back.
Upon hearing of the shortage of protective masks, Kicker Kalozdi told the WDSU News, “We immediately turned our sewing operation into making masks and pumping them out.”
