Trump Visits Guilford, Maine to Thank Puritan Employees
GUILFORD, ME (U.S.) – June 5, 2020 – President Trump visited Guilford, Maine today and toured the Puritan Medical Products headquarters. During his remarks, the President championed his Administration’s use of the Defense Production Act to bolster American manufacturing capabilities and create more American-made medical testing supplies in response to COVID-19.
Puritan is one of the world’s two largest manufacturers of the specialized swab most often used for COVID-19 testing. In response to heightened demand for the product, Puritan reached full production capacity shortly after the pandemic began. President Trump's use of the Defense Production Act earlier this spring resulted in Puritan expanding production of COVID-19 test swabs at a new facility in Pittsfield, Maine, which is scheduled to open on July 1st.
Puritan was awarded the $75.5 million agreement in early May. The new plant in Pittsfield will be a top-of-the line medical device manufacturing facility that will double its production capacity of COVID-19 swabs and create at least 150 new jobs.
During his visit, Trump also thanked employees for their hard work and dedication as they helped support the nation’s need for medical testing. “Right here in Guilford, generations of proud Maine patriots have poured their heart, sweat, and soul for this country, making the critical products produced by Puritan,” said President Trump.
Puritan employees are currently working 10 hours shifts 6 days a week to produce as many swabs as possible. “We greatly appreciate President Trump taking the time to thank our hard-working, dedicated employees,” said Timothy Templet, Executive Vice President of Global Sales for Puritan Medical Products.
About Puritan
Puritan Medical Products Co., LLC, is a 101-year-old, family-owned American company known worldwide as the trusted manufacturer of single-use products for controlled environments, diagnostics and specimen collection, environmental, forensics, and genetics, medical, and microbiology media industries. Puritan is FDA-registered and ISO-certified. Its products help customers collect, analyze and transport specimens with the utmost confidence in the products’ clinical integrity. Puritan manufactures all of its patented flock swabs and related products in its headquarters in Guilford, Maine, USA.