BarrierMed considering a move into glove production

AKRON (Aug. 1)—A small St. Mary, Fla.-based synthetic glove maker may take a giant leap and launch a manufacturing operation, possibly within the next two years. BarrierMed Inc. figures it has taken one step in that direction by reorganizing its operation and adding a new division to expand its patented latex-free product line outside the operating room and into the food service, industrial and other markets. BarrierMed wants its own manufacturing operation to give it greater control and a stronger base as it grows, said Dan Swiger, vice president of sales and corporate development, on July 31 during the two-day International Latex Conference in Fairlawn, Ohio. The company has been contracting with another company in the U.S. to produce its goods, he said. But the firm recently signed a deal with an unnamed Asian company to handle some production, according to Victor Ragucci, CEO of the company he founded in 1990. BarrierMed is looking at Thailand to set up a production operation, Swiger said, and it probably will partner with another company.