Investment Signals Commitment to Expansion
American Nitrile has purchased its glove manufacturing facility at 3500 Southwest Blvd. in Grove City for $21.5 million, according to Franklin County property records. The acquisition comes after two years of leasing the sprawling 30-acre site, which houses a 530,000-square-foot plant that began operations in 2022. While company officials have not commented on the reason behind the purchase, the move suggests a strategic commitment to long-term growth in the region.
Founded in 2021 by Jacob Block of the Block’s Bagels family, American Nitrile announced plans to invest $54.5 million in the Grove City facility, aiming to create 400 jobs by the end of 2024. As of April, the company had already employed 130 individuals. The plant currently produces 1.2 billion rubber gloves annually, with the capacity to scale up to 3.5 billion.
Future Growth and Industry Impact
Damon Richardson, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing at American Nitrile, previously highlighted the facility’s role as a foundational step for the company’s expansion. Speaking at Columbus Business First’s 2024 Columbus Opportunity Summit, he stated, “This facility was really just a template to demonstrate we could actually produce this product and get the right quality and cost. Fundamentally, if we’re successful in this venture, we’re looking to continue to use this as a footprint to continue to expand operation.”
As the largest manufacturer of nitrile gloves in the United States, according to the company’s website, American Nitrile supplies medical and research laboratory gloves to healthcare, government, and industrial sectors. The recent acquisition of the Grove City facility underscores the company’s dedication to enhancing domestic manufacturing capabilities and meeting the growing demand for high-quality protective equipment.
