A Penetanguishene factory has started producing masks to combat COVID-19.
Industrial Filter Manufacturing Ltd. sales and marketing representative Spencer Williams said the company is now making about 2,000 masks a day, a figure that could jump to between 5,000 and 6,000 masks daily next month once additional equipment comes into play.
“(Last week) was our first full week of production,” Williams said, noting they were also able to redesign an earlier prototype to now feature a nose clip, which is being produced by another local company, North Simcoe Tool in Midland.
“We’ve had great collaboration with some other businesses in town," he said. "We’re trying to tap into the local business community as well.”
Since starting production, Williams said they’ve been busy filling orders placed by local businesses and individuals.
“We’ve had a lot of inquiries from all over the place,” he said. “We’re trying to help the local community first as we have lower capacity.”
The company has received a temporary Medical Device Establishment License (MDEL) and hopes to eventually receive N-95 mask certification, but that's likely a four- to six-month approval process from Health Canada.
“The mask we’re producing is a non-medical one using N-95 materials,” Williams said.
And even without the official certification that isn’t required to send the product stateside, customers are at the ready since the company’s masks are considered far superior to regular dust masks, which one can purchase at a hardware store and that people are now wearing.
With clients around the world, the Penetanguishene-based private company employs 35 people and specializes in manufacturing standard and custom liquid filter bags for industrial applications. Its client base ranges from beverage producers such as brewers, distillers and-fruit juice makers to those manufacturing pharmaceuticals and other products.
And the additional business to produce the masks has also meant hiring two more workers with more hiring possible once the additional equipment comes online.
According to Williams, Industrial Filter might opt to continue producing masks once the pandemic subsides if the demand remains and opportunities continue to arise.
While the addition of masks to the firm's product line has also “opened some new doors,” Williams said the company won’t take away production capacity from its core business.
