Honeywell in link-up to supply nitrile exam gloves to US 

Charlotte, North Carolina – Charlotte-based Honeywell and Premier Inc, a technology-driven healthcare supply company, have announced a “commercial relationship” to expand the production of local nitrile exam gloves in the US.

In separate statements 13 July, the companies said that the venture is expected to produce 750 million gloves in the first year and is in response to the “significant shortage of exam gloves” caused by the Covid pandemic.

The two companies did not offer further details on the location of the production plant or the investment size.

Premier, however, said that more than 80 of its members had committed to purchase “a certain percentage” of the Honeywell gloves for a period of five years. 

Honeywell will also provide additional gloves to S2S Global, Premier’s direct sourcing subsidiary, the company added. 

According to the two companies, world demand for exam gloves currently exceeds production capacity by 40%, due mainly to global raw materials shortage, port closures & delays as well as increased consumption amid vaccination programmes.

"Honeywell and Premier share a commitment to increase the domestic production capacity for safety solutions to help to protect American healthcare workers," said Praveen Reddy, president of Honeywell’s personal protective equipment (PPE) business. 

Also headquartered in Charlotte, Premier connects more than 4,100 US hospitals and health systems with 200,000 suppliers and organisations with the aim to "transform" the healthcare system.