MI Americas launches latex glove production in Alabama

EUFAULA, Ala.—An Alabama-based rubber manufacturer is set to expand its latex production and hire up to 400 new employees in the coming months.

Medical Industries of the Americas began production in August after a long-delayed plant opening in Eufaula.

The facility has capacity for about 9 million latex gloves per month, and three more machines will be added in the months ahead, helping to drive demand for the new jobs.

MI Americas largely will manufacture latex gloves, hot and cold packs and condoms at the Eufaula Industrial Park.

The new production jobs needed are expected to pay a starting wage of $14 an hour, nearly double Alabama's minimum wage.

MI Americas is a research and development company that manufactures medical, surgical and personal protective equipment. Its products also include thermal packs, episiotomy pads, infant thermal transport mattresses and other goods. Founded in 1965 in Connecticut and currently led by CEO David Silver, MI Americas provides a range of consulting services, including manufacturing services, economic evaluations and domestic assembly for private label products.

The company previously had been located in Iowa before moving to Alabama.

MI Americas originally planned to begin manufacturing latex gloves and a variety of other medical goods at the former location of Ameritex Corp.'s facility in Eufaula in January 2020, but the pandemic that officially started two months later delayed those plans.

MI Americas General Manager Patrick Daniel told television station WTVM in Alabama that the demand for latex gloves remains extremely high, with COVID still a threat and the growth of the monkeypox outbreak. He added that the manufacturing capabilities will be expanded in the future to include additional products.

The Alabama factory, which sits on a 15-acre plot of land, supplies distributors in the hospital, commercial and private label markets. The company markets its "Made in the USA" philosophy with product lines made from ethically sourced materials by American workers.

In late August, the Alabama State Legislature showed its collective appreciation for the growth and hiring of its residents by MI Americas by recognizing the company for its contribution to the nation's rubber industry.

The company first began manufacturing latex gloves and similar PPE in the second quarter of 2020, even though the decision had been made to supply gloves and other medical goods before the pandemic was formally recognized in March 2020.

MI Americas did not respond to inquiries from Rubber News for additional comment.