Brandon Aldridge, a Panama City based business owner and City Commissioner in Lynn Haven, Florida is busy filling orders for PPE face shields for the State of Florida. Recently, Aldridge responded to a state RFP (request for purchase) for 100,000 face shields to be used by first responders, nurses and doctors around the state. He was awarded 25% of the contract, being asked to produce 25,000 face shields for the Department of Emergency Management. Though a daunting task to complete in a short period of time, Aldridge stated, “It’s an honor to be asked to produce safety equipment that will help protect those who are on the front lines, protecting and caring for those who have been affected by the Corona Virus (COVID-19)”. His company, A Converting Inc. (ACI), went to work hiring new employees to fill the need of PPE face shields for the State of FL and they will deliver their product to the state this week.
Aldridge explains the process to Trumbull and Griffitts.
Brandon is the Vice President of Operations of his family owned business A Converting INC dba ACI Tapes. His company is a 3M Select Converter of tape products, foams, and adhesives with access to 28 3M divisions as well as a distributor/converter for IPG, Novagard, and Saint Gobain. ACI specializes in multiple closed cell foam tape products, including polyurethane, PVC, EPDM, and Neoprene foams, microcellular and die cuts. Their team implements manifold cutting edge solutions to design and supply custom products for an array of industry uses, including, but not limited to, sealing, insulating, cushioning, protecting and gasketing. Their products produced locally, are shipped globally.
Rep. Trumbull speaks with a ACI employee
Recently Aldridge invited State Representative Jay Trumbull and County Commission Chairman Philip “Griff” Griffitts to his plant on 11thStreet, to see the shields being made. “This is the American way” said Trumbull, he continued, “you see a need and you meet it, and that is exactly what Brandon and his company have done here”. Commissioner Griffitts echoed those comments by saying “It’s great to see a local company, right here in Bay County, tapped to provide something to be used by the entire state”.
Panhandle Politics spoke with Aldridge Tuesday, saying he is already getting orders from the private sector. “I’ve already gotten orders from dentist offices, and other close proximity providers, for orders of the shields”.
ACI, Aldridge’s company is also providing desk shields for offices who cater to the public. “We’re here to serve our community” he said.
