24th August 2020
MAS Holdings’ product innovation will once again be in the spotlight at the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, showcased by the technologically advanced ‘Zena Impact Protection Vest’ worn by the Australian Women’s national goalball team – the Aussie Belles. This impact protection wear is manufactured using two patented technologies, MAS Silueta’s reaction Injection Molded Foam Technology branded under the tradename “Impact 360 by Silueta” and using patented Silicone Flocking Technology.
MAS Silueta, a part of apparel conglomerate MAS Holdings, collaborated with the founders of Zena Sports, Brad and Donna Johnson to manufacture Zena’s female impact protection vest, to be worn by the Aussie Belles in the upcoming Tokyo Paralympics. Having understood the significant physical implications of impact sports, Australian couple, Brad and Donna Johnson realised that female adolescents faced many rib and breast injuries that go unreported despite their impact at a critical stage of physical development. Specifically designed for contact sport, the lightweight impact vest protects females against breast, rib and ground impacts, and helps maintain their agility and performance levels, with the prime goal of ensuring faster post-game recovery. Already popular among the Women’s Australian Football League players, the ‘Zena Z1’ vest now cements itself as a core aspect of Goalball – a high impact team sport specifically designed for blind and vision-impaired players.
The development of the vest is testament to MAS’ expertise in innovative, applicable sports products, and showcases their expansion into manufacturing impact protection wear for leading global brands. It also shines a light on the company’s long-term commitment towards female empowerment and inclusivity.
MAS Silueta was also responsible for producing the Canterbury Raze head guard, Worn by Team USA rugby player Kevon Williams in the recently concluded Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Commenting on the innovative protective vest, CEO of Silueta, Ranesh Handunnethi stated, “We are proud to support Zena Sport in empowering the ‘Aussie Belles’ goalball team at the upcoming Paralympics with one of our newest products – the ‘Zena Impact Protection Vest’. Empowering women and promoting inclusivity are two of our foremost priorities and key tenets that power our drive for innovation. The Zena protective vest is a prime example of an innovative solution born out of this focus and is another step forward in our long-term value creation journey.”
Silueta specializes in apparel ‘design-to-delivery’ and uses Impact 360 by Silueta, a patented foam technology and patented Silicone flocking technology to create modern wearable apparel that improves the performance of its wearers. Some of the more well-known products released as part of Silueta’s innovation drive include the Canterbury head guard, and the Zena Sport range, alongside a variety of innovative intimate wear products.
