American industrial technology firm Honeywell said it is working to increase production of N95 respirators and UVEX safety glasses in the US with an expansion of its manufacturing facility in Smithfield, RI, the company announced in a recent statement. As part of the effort, Honeywell also plans to hire 500 workers. 

“We’re honored to support the US governments efforts to protect Americans with personal protective equipment made right here in the United States,” Honeywell Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Darius Adamczyk said in a release. “Our Rhode Island facility already produces industry-leading safety gear and soon will play a critical role in supplying the Strategic National Stockpile with N95 masks.”

Respirators produced at the Smithfield facility will be sent to the US Department of Health and Human Services. The products will then be distributed to workers in health, safety, and emergency response functions.

The company said it is also increasing its capacity for N95 masks at other facilities across its global footprint. 

Earlier this week, Powder & Bulk Solids reported that industrial firm 3M is increasing its capacity for N95 respirators to about 1.1 billion products per year, or about 100 million per month, in response to increased demand from healthcare workers on the front lines of the novel coronavirus outbreak. 

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