Pontiac Times

A new partnership between Maskco Technologies and SharperTek is making its mark as the second-largest manufacturer of N95 respirators, the MTech Respirator, in the country, according to PRNewswire on June 18. 

Maskco CEO Scott Weissman said in a statement that there’s still another step to make things official. 

“We are pleased to announce this new joint venture for Maskco Technologies. Pending approval from NIOSH [National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health], we are excited to be entering the market positioned to become of the largest manufacturers of N95 respirators in the United States over the next 24 months,” he said, reported by PRNewswire.

He went on to tout SharperTek’s capabilities, pointing out its “excellent track record of creating innovative automated machinery,” according to PR Newswire. “We look forward to working together to meet the critical need for increased production of N95 Respirators in the United States.”

On top of producing the highly anticipated respirators, the two companies will also manage the National Association of Personal Protective Equipment Manufacturers, which boosts PPE production from suppliers within the U.S.

SharperTek vice president Tim Bartlett echoed similar sentiments about the new venture. “We are very honored to have the opportunity to work with Maskco Technologies. This venture will create hundreds of jobs in both Florida and Michigan, while securing our nation’s ability to manufacture PPE domestically and reduce our reliance on foreign suppliers."

Maskco was first developed in April 2020 as the brainchild of a handful of health care professionals who acknowledged that N95 respirators are a major need amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

SharperTek was launched in Pontiac as an automated ultrasonic system manufacturer in 2006. They transitioned to manufacturing personal protection equipment via assembly lines as the need for PPE hit an all-time high amid the widespread coronavirus.