Guy van Rooyen looking at the camera

From Fabulous Fur to medical masks

Guy van Rooyen, president and CEO of Salyers Group, said it took four days to shift from making faux fur clothing and accessories to reusable surgical masks.

  • Name: Guy van Rooyen
  • Title: President and CEO
  • Company: Salyers Group / Fabulous Furs
  • Region: Covington, KY
  • Industry: Retail Trade
  • Vistage Chair: Al Stuempel

Covington-based Salyers Group is a diversified investment company with assets including Fabulous Furs, Donna Salyers' Fabulous Bridal, Madison Event Center and commercial real estate investments.

It ranked as the 14th-largest women-owned business in the region in 2019, with revenue of $23.5 million in 2018, according to Business Courier research,

Leadership Opportunity: Guy van Rooyen, president and CEO of Salyers Group, said it took four days to shift from making faux fur clothing and accessories to reusable surgical masks. "Our entire efforts are looking to support first responders and the front-line folks," van Rooyen told the Cincinnati Business Courier.

In two-and-a-half days, Fabulous Furs produced 1,500 masks and plan to ramp up production to 1,000 masks per day through its 28-person sewing facility. The company is now also running a pattern for a surgical gown after a request from a local hospital.

"We'll do what we can for as long as we need to," van Rooyen said.

Credit: Story edited from Cincinnati Business Courier, by Tom Demeropolis, Senior Staff Reporter

Leading in Challenging Times Resource Center

Vistage Cares

Our members are helping each other work through difficult decisions and challenge their thinking.

Our proven approach to decision-making has endured for over 60 years, helping business leaders excel during the best and worst of times.

Consider what it would mean for you to have a similar sounding board. As a Vistage member, you can tap the collective wisdom of peers for fresh perspectives and find answers in a global network of experts.

Do you or a leader you know have a unique story to share about making a positive impact?