Company Makes Big Bet on US Mask Demand

Purchasers will have to make some hard choices when the pandemic is over.

Before the pandemic, most protective gear, including masks, was imported, primarily from Asia. Despite efforts to ramp up N95 face mask production, supply is struggling to keep up with demand. 

So, Dan Izhaky, put up $4 million to create United Safety Technology. 

The N95 mask manufacturing startup is building a factory in La Verne, California, a Los Angeles suburb. Machinery is still being installed, but the plant could be up and running within a few weeks, and shipping masks by Q2 2021. 

According to Reuters, Izhaky plans to ramp up to produce 1 million masks per day. 

However, Izhaky says purchasers will have to make some hard choices when the pandemic is over, as U.S.-made masks will still cost about 30% more than Chinese masks — about $1.15 each.


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