STRONG Updates

Last winter, the influenza virus nearly vanished because of the precautions taken against the Covid-19 virus by wearing masks and social distancing. With the CDC warning of an "early and possible severe flu season," experts predict this year may be different as people return to their normal activities and precautions are relaxed. Some also linked a possible spike to the decline of immunity because of last year's precautions. Federal health officials are worried about the impact the flu coupled with Covid-19 could have on our health systems. "The potential for a 'twindemic' of both widespread flu and Covid-19 cases is at the forefront of local public health officials’ minds as the winter months draw closer." - Michaela Ramm, The Gazette

The facts are the flu and the common cold are extremely contagious. But by embracing the new habits and what we have learned from the Covid-19 outbreak, including newer studies on respiratory virus spread, we can change the trajectory of flu seasons and avoid a "twindemic." Places like school or the office can be a breeding ground for these sicknesses. Protect yourself and those around you this flu season with a face mask like STRONG Procedure Masks.

How Face Masks Work

Face masks help to limit the spread of germs. Coughing, sneezing and even just talking and breathing release tiny drops of germs into the air that may contain a strain of cold or flu. By wearing a face mask, you are reducing the number of germs that you are exposing yourself to as well as limiting your own germs from spreading.

When to Wear

Wear a face mask when you exhibit signs of the flu or cold and will be around other people. Do not show up to work or school if you have a fever. You can also opt to wear a face mask to reduce your exposure to those who are sick around you.

STRONG Procedure Masks

STRONG Procedure Masks are made in the U.S.A. They are lightweight and comfortable while still reducing the spread of and exposure to respiratory germs. These masks have high filtration—their PFE Rating exceeds 99% and their BFE Rating exceeds 99%. They are available in blue.

Click here to find STRONG Procedure Masks and more medical products .

STRONG Manufacturers announced today that it has acquired INTRO Consultants LLC. Both are privately held companies. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Since the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, there has been a surge in demand for quality personal protective equipment (PPE). With demand being through the roof many industries including the healthcare and foodservice industries were on a quest to find reliable and consistent suppliers, but as companies struggle to maintain and recover from the pandemic, there have been reports by the FBI and several organizations of fraudulent PPE equipment being obtained by companies and healthcare systems. Most recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized over 100,000 counterfeit 3M surgical masks in Cincinnati, Ohio.

This threat not only puts individuals at significant risk but also exposes businesses to major liability risks. This fraudulent disruption especially during an urgent community medical need makes a reliable supply chain and distributor even more vital.

Counterfeit PPE exposure can be costly as it affects health measures and business productivity. And with the current medical climate, there is no room to make assumptions about quality or cut corners when it comes to safety.

Some of the top PPE products being counterfeited include nitrile gloves, N95 masks and regular masks being posed as medical masks. These items must undergo a rigorous amount of testing, certifications, and approval by the FDA and or NIOSH depending on the usage before they are signed off for distribution. This enormous process directly reflects the cost of PPE equipment as quality PPE is not cheap and is one of the biggest signs to look for when seeking a supplier.

The FBI urges everyone to be cautious and diligent when purchasing PPE products. To protect your employees and company from health risks and liability exposures when purchasing high-quality PPE consider these 5 questions regarding your supplier/distributor procedures and supplies.

1. Is there FDA approval throughout the supply chain process?
   

   The supply chain can involve many parties, confirming that each party received required FDA certification is crucial to confirm quality and safety.

2. Is the distributor easily accessible to answer questions and provide documents?
   Questions and concerns are inevitable when it comes to product documentation and shipments. Transparency and communication are key in cultivating a successful partnership and securing quality PPE.

3. Has there been a thorough quality assurance process of the products and factories?
   To be able to ensure that products are up to par and meet producing standards can confirm supplier’s quality of products.
   
   
4. Is the supplier able to showcase a record of industry experience and success?
   A network of factory and manufacturing relationships to facilitate and build a strong supply chain system to import and produce PPE equipment can give the supplier an agile process.
   
   
5. Can the supplier produce and handle product samples?
   An accessible and easy product sampling process will ease concerns and affirm supplier's legitimacy.

We’re going to be totally honest with you:

Restaurant managers do not care where they buy their gloves from, as long as buying their gloves doesn’t cause them any extra work.

Beyond the material type (latex, vinyl, nitrile or poly), color and tear resistance needs, they aren’t going to think about their gloves much more than making sure they have enough in stock.

In fact, many restaurant owners like to keep their glove supply on an auto-ordering system to maintain enough on hand (pun intended) without a thought. They are likely ordering from a big company like Sysco or US Foods, so unless their main distributor supplies it, it can be very challenging to get them to do a separate order just for gloves. Change is extra work, and they’ve got a business to run.

This is where a talented salesperson and superior customer service come in. By making the process as simple as pie, you can convince them to save by switching brands to STRONG.

Buyers can put their STRONG glove subscription on auto order on our online store so they can still stick with their main distributor and never think about the fact that their gloves are coming from a separate supplier. Orders can be made weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or at custom increments.

And—equally important—they need great pricing as an incentive to switch.

STRONG gloves are the same great quality as leading brands but at a fraction of the cost because we offer factory direct pricing. We have been in the disposable glove business for over 35 years and we talk to our factories every single day, so we know what it means to have both good quality and good pricing. Our gloves help customers save double digit numbers, which has the potential to change their business over time.

So, these customers may not care initially where they get their gloves from, but you can show them the path to STRONG.

Picture it: it’s 2008. The Beijing Olympics have just begun, and viewers at home watch as Olympic athletes stride out covered in brightly colored tapes.

What’s so strange about this tape is that it’s not wrapped around their limbs like athletic tape, but instead it’s stuck onto the wearer in different shapes and patterns. When interviewed, Olympians like Michael Phelps touted the amazing benefits of “kinesiology tape.”

This is how kinesiology tape rose in popularity. Soon after, athletes of all levels began buying the strange new tape.

Unfortunately, kinesiology tape was rather expensive for a long time.

Making Kinesiology Tape More Affordable

Everyone deserves to move and feel better, not just athletes. That’s where OKTape comes in—OKTape’s goal is to make kinesiology tape more accessible and affordable to everyone while still providing the same amazing quality. It is made from the same materials as leading brands but is a fraction of the cost.

Comfortable and lightweight but still extremely adhesive, OKTape classic rolls stick for up to 3 days while pro rolls stick for up to 5. Both are sweatproof to support you no matter what.

Here are some ways that OKTape can help support you:

• Improve posture
• Accelerate muscle recovery
• Reduce swelling
• Provide pain relief from sports injuries like tennis elbow or overworked joints
• Provide pain relief from everyday aches like a stiff neck or menstrual pain

A Kinesiology Tape for All

A kinesiology tape for all, OKTape is available at the STRONG Online Store. Use code FirstTry to get 30% off your kinesiology tape order. Don’t forget that our website offers free shipping for all orders over $30 as well.

One of the many choices you will be faced with when choosing the disposable gloves for your business is powdered or powder free gloves? Both have their uses and benefits. Let’s look at the difference between the two.

Powdered Gloves

Powdered disposable gloves are convenient for those who require many quick changes in gloves like those working in food prep. The powder, which is often made out of cornstarch, makes it easier to don and remove the gloves. Unfortunately, the powder does leave a bit of a residue wherever is touched, which can cause contamination. The powder on latex gloves can increase risk of allergies as well, making powdered latex gloves a less popular choice.

Powder Free Gloves

As of December 2016, the FDA banned the use of powdered medical/exam grade gloves, so all STRONG medical gloves are powder free. Some food prep is also best done with powder free gloves instead of powdered. If the users are not constantly switching gloves, powder free is the preferred choice to reduce contamination.

Looking for the ideal gloves for your business? Let us help. Contact STRONG Manufacturers at info@strongmanufacturers.com or call 716-507-4476, and one of our personalized customer service representatives will learn about your business, your unique needs and work with you to find the best solutions for you.

On March 1, 2019, Ohio, Connecticut, Oregon and Hawaii officially banned the use of latex gloves in food service operations and retail food establishments. More states are likely to follow suit.

Latex gloves have been the go-to for the food service industry for decades. They’re durable, stretchy, tactile and cost-effective. They also provide great barrier protection. What went wrong?

Why Ban Latex?

According to the American Latex Allergy Association, around 3 million people in the U.S. are allergic to latex. Allergic reactions to latex often include skin rashes and hives. Sometimes the person may experience nasal, eye or sinus symptoms. Rarely, an allergic reaction to latex may even cause shock.

Because there are other options easily available to replace latex, several states have banned its use in the food service industry.

Latex Alternatives

In an effort to always diversify the choices that we give our customers, STRONG offers the 3 FDA approved alternatives to latex gloves:

1. Nitrile
2. Vinyl
3. Poly

Because STRONG is both a manufacturer and supplier, we are able to offer all of our disposable gloves at deeply discounted prices without sacrificing any quality. Let us help you find latex alternatives that work for you.

STRONG General Purpose Nitrile Gloves – Powder Free

STRONG General Purpose Nitrile Gloves are durable enough to handle the wear and tear of heavy duty food prep. These tough gloves provide reliable coverage with a beaded cuff at the wrist.

STRONG General Purpose Vinyl Gloves

Another great latex alternative, STRONG General Purpose Vinyl Gloves provide great protection and more of a tactile feeling during use. We offer both powdered and powder free options.

STRONG Poly Gloves

New to our online store, STRONG Poly Gloves are both comfortable and economical. This disposable glove is ideal for light duty tasks and to prevent cross contamination during food preparation.

To learn more about the different glove options available, check out our How to Choose the Best Disposable Gloves for Your Business blog. If you still need help finding the right latex alternative for you, contact STRONG Manufacturers at info@strongmanufacturers.com or call 716-507-4476 and one of our expert sales representatives will be happy to help.

The start of 2019 has seen some impressive innovations in medical technology, including DFree, the first health tech wearable device for urinary incontinence that monitors how full the user’s bladder is and notifies the wearer when it’s time to go to the bathroom.

How It Works

DFree is a non-invasive sensor that uses ultrasound technology to monitor your bladder. The sensor needs to be placed about 0.5” above the pubis bone to detect the bladder. The data is collected from the sensor in an easy to use smart device app that predicts when you will need to go to the bathroom.

Once your bladder is full, the app will send a notification to your phone or tablet letting you know. You can set the notification threshold yourself to as much time as you would like so that you have plenty of time to go.

Effect on the Incontinence Market

This innovative medical device can be life-changing for those who struggle with incontinence, but it is, unfortunately, a little pricey. Customers interested in trying this product can buy it for $500 or rent it out for $40 a month.

Despite its importance, it doesn't seem that this invention will threaten the incontinence market or sale of under pads anytime soon. It will take a long time before this product becomes more affordable, accessible or used by the general public, and even then under pads may still be used as fail-safe protection.

Dentists and hygienists didn’t always use procedure masks.

Back in the 1960s, published reports investigated why dentists and hygienists seemed to suffer from upper respiratory tract infections than the average person. Later studies showed that dentists who did not routinely wear masks during patient care suffered from colds more often as well.

Eventually, procedure masks became a requirement for dentists and hygienists to protect against airborne germs generated from dental care.

High Quality Protection You Need

You need a high-quality procedure mask to deliver a strong defense against airborne germs and illnesses. Right now, more than ever, it is so important to know where your protection is coming from and to what standards it passes.

STRONG Procedure Masks are the high-quality procedure masks that you need. They are FDA approved with bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) that exceeds 99% and particle filtration efficiency (PFE) that exceeds 99%.

We even have ASTM Level 3 masks made right here in our Charlotte, NC facility.

Comfort

Less vital, but still important, is the comfort of your masks. The STRONG Procedure Mask's multiple layer construction ensures that the outer layer of our mask is protective while the inner layer is still smooth and comfortable.

Low Cost

Even though they are 100% made in the USA, this product is still available for less than our competitors. You can find this product and more in Online Store.

Choosing the correct material for your disposable gloves can make all the difference in your business. Let STRONG help you figure out which glove is best for you and your business. Here is some information on the different materials to help you make your choice.

Disposable Glove Materials

We offer general purpose latex in both powdered and powder free options. Because it is the cheapest material, latex is a favorite choice in the jan/san industry.

We offer both exam vinyl gloves and general purpose in powdered and powder free options. The general-purpose vinyl are a cost-effective choice for the jan/san or food industry.

We offer both exam nitrile gloves and general purpose in powdered and powder free options. The general purpose nitrile gloves are great for the tattoo or food industry.

Disposable Gloves Pricing

Perhaps the most important question: what is your budget for disposable gloves? The pricing for gloves varies largely depending on the supplier that you purchase from. Most of the time, a manufacturer creates the gloves then sells to a supplier who marks the price up when selling to the end user.

Because STRONG is both the manufacturer and the supplier, we are able to cut out the middle man to save you money.

Contact STRONG Manufacturers today to help you find the best disposable gloves for your business at the lowest price possible without sacrificing any quality.