Honeywell to produce over 6 million masks for Arizona to fight coronavirus

PHOENIX — Honeywell expects to produce more than six million N95 masks for Arizona over the next year to combat the coronavirus outbreak, according to a press release from the Governor’s Office.

Masks made by the company will be delivered to county health departments by the Arizona Department of Public Health Services for use by health, safety, and emergency response workers.

Gov. Doug Ducey on Tuesday said the state has received 75 percent of its Strategic National Stockpile allocation, which includes just over 181,000 N95 masks.

The agreement with the state comes after Honeywell’s Phoenix Aerospace site announced added mask manufacturing capabilities.

More than 500 new jobs are expected to be created at the facility, with Honeywell stating recruiting, hiring and training of manufacturing workers has already begun.

The site is expected to help fill a need for the federal government, along with state and national healthcare and emergency response organizations.

Adam Kress, director of external communications for Honeywell, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Tuesday the first masks will start being produced in mid-May.

“When production is fully ramped up a few months later, the Phoenix facility will produce 10 million masks each month,” he said.

Along with the facility in Rhode Island expanding face mask production, Honeywell states it will be able to produce over 20 million disposable masks per month.

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