Most of us probably recognize the name Superior Glove as the largest employer in Acton. They sponsor many local sports teams, events, and they give gloves to every child at the Santa Clause Parade. Most recently they donated 48,000 disposable gloves to the Town of Halton Hills.
Known in industry for the manufacturing of personal protective equipment (PPE), Superior Glove has retooled its manufacturing infrastructure in its Acton Plant to produce face shields and hand sanitizer. “We already supply PPE, it’s not that big a leap” says Vice President, Joe Geng.
“At Superior Glove, our mandate has always been to leverage technology and innovation to keep workers as safe as possible,” commented company president, Tony Geng. “We are thrilled to be able to use our expertise in designing and manufacturing innovative PPE to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Using a laser cutter purchased for a now defunct product line, they are currently shipping 5000 face shields per day and are ramping up to manufacture 10,000 a day. Additionally, the company is helping to distribute face shields produced by two Ontario cabinet makers.
At one time hand sanitizer was part of their product line. They have revitalized the line to produce 40 tons of sanitizer a month using raw materials sourced from local distilleries. They are currently shipping 2000 bottles a day and they continue to increase production. “We aren’t keeping up to demand” says Joe.
In yet another act of charity, Superior Glove will be donating their first run of face shields and hand sanitizer to local community organizations including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Superior Glove has felt the impact of COVID-19. With major customers in automotive and oil and gas there has been a drop in demand for that PPE. But in their smaller line of medical disposable gloves there has been a huge spike in demand.
Locally, the Acton plant had laid off all their production staff, but the COVID-19 project means they are all back to work plus 15 new employees. Other changes include office staff working from home and sales staff reducing to four days per week.
In their two plants in Newfoundland there are 50 people still laid off. But the company is sewing 15,000 cloth face masks a week for the
Newfoundland government to supply the local hospitals. A line that they hope to grow if they can find the raw materials.
Joe Geng says he is “inspired”, not just by Superior Gloves’ innovations but by all the innovation he is seeing nationwide.
Certainly Acton should feel inspired by this local employer, and their dedicated staff, working hard to find new ways to keep Canadians working safely.
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