Locate Finger Lakes Business Journal
Finger Lakes Companies Respond to COVID-19 With Trademark Ingenuity
Locate Finger Lakes thanks the many businesses in our region that have stepped up to provide in-demand products during the coronavirus pandemic. Some companies have ramped up production of their critical products. Other companies have shifted operations to produce much-needed supplies for area hospitals, first responders, and front line workers.
“The outstanding companies of the Finger Lakes have met this challenge with great leadership and ingenuity,” said Mike Nozzolio, Chairman of Locate Finger Lakes. “From these businesses… to the individuals making face masks for health care professionals… to the people volunteering at local food banks… to the essential workers in our hospitals and grocery stores, and everyone in between, we are Finger Lakes Strong.”
Here are just a few businesses making a difference. We invite you to email locate@locatefingerlakes.com to let us know about others.
Bella’s Sicilian Ristorante, Geneva, NY: the local restaurant has delivered truckloads of food donations to support the Geneva Boys & Girls Club and The Salvation Army of Geneva. Bella’s is known for its monthly “Bella’s Gives Back” program supporting local organizations and non-profits. Many restaurants in the region are providing food and donations to help their communities.
BonaDent Dental Laboratories, Seneca Falls, NY: this third-generation, family-owned dental device manufacturer is making protective face shields for health care workers. The company also donated $50,000 to Finger Lakes Health and $25,000 to the Seneca County House of Concern.
Carestream Health, Rochester, NY: the provider of medical imaging solutions is increasing production of its mobile X-ray units to meet increased demand.
Cayuga Milk Ingredients, Aurelius, NY: though the dairy industry is facing significant challenges, this milk processing plant recently provided 1,000 bags of powdered milk to Cayuga and Seneca County families.
Century Mold, Rochester, NY: the automotive parts manufacturer is making protective face shields.
Cornell AgriTech, Geneva, NY: a world leader in food and agriculture research, Cornell AgriTech is aiding New York state distilleries in making hand sanitizer.
Several distilleries in the Finger Lakes region have transitioned their production lines to meet increased demand for hand sanitizer. They include:
- Rootstock Cider and Spirits, Williamson, NY: its hand sanitizer is made from alcohol distilled from the family’s locally grown apples at DeFisher Fruit Farms.
- Montezuma Winery & Hidden Marsh Distillery, Seneca Falls, NY
- Antler Run Distillery, Keuka Park, NY
- Hollerhorn Distilling, Naples, NY
- Finger Lakes Distilling, Burdett, NY near Watkins Glen
- Black Button Distilling, Iron Smoke Whiskey, and LiDestri Food and Drink in Rochester, NY
G. W. Lisk, Clifton Springs, NY: the solenoid and valve manufacturer is designing and prototyping continuously adjustable valves for a new type of ventilator in partnership with RIT.
Hallagan Furniture, Newark, NY: with the support of 150 volunteers, this fourth-generation, family-owned and operated company has produced 20,000 face masks for local hospitals, including Newark-Wayne Community Hospital and Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic.
IEC Electronics, Newark, NY: the electronic components manufacturer, set to open its expanded facility at Silver Hill Technology Park this summer, is growing its local workforce to meet increased demand for medical devices and working to help speed the production of ventilators.
Incodema, Ithaca, NY: the sheet metal prototyping company designed a sanitizable face shield that can be used multiple times.
L-Tron Corporation, Victor, NY: the technology company that manufactures components for products including mobile X-ray machines and antibody tests has tripled production of its mobile X-ray components to meet increased customer demand.
Mack Studios, Auburn, NY: a third-generation family business that creates exhibit, trade show and in-store displays made protective face shields that were donated to the Auburn Fire Department.
MacKenzie-Childs, Aurora, NY: the iconic home furnishings company is making face masks for health care workers and first responders, as is the iconic tailored clothing maker Hickey Freeman in Rochester, NY in a partnership with Xerox.
Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Rochester, NY: the company’s global Center of Excellence for R&D in Rochester developed and is manufacturing a COVID-19 antibody testing kit approved by the FDA.
RealEats, Geneva, NY: the food-tech company, winner of the inaugural Grow-NY competition, is supplying fresh, healthy meals to the Geneva Center of Concern food pantry. RealEats is one of the largest regular donors to the Center of Concern.
Rheonix, Ithaca, NY: the developer of molecular diagnostics has received FDA approval of its rapid, fully automated COVID-19 test that enables detection of the virus that causes COVID-19, directly from respiratory samples.
Select Fabricators, Canandaigua, NY: the manufacturer of RF shielded enclosures is producing medical face masks for local hospitals, in partnership with Turbett Surgical in Rochester, NY.
Tessy Plastics, Skaneateles, NY: the contract manufacturer for the medical and consumer goods markets will convert its Auburn warehouse into a high-tech manufacturing facility to produce COVID-19 test kits. The company is also producing face shields.
Waterloo Container, Waterloo, NY: the wine bottle distributor is providing bottles and closures for hand sanitizers.
Welch Allyn, Skaneateles, NY: the medical equipment manufacturer is accelerating production of blood pressure cuffs and patient vital sign monitors made at its Skaneateles plant.
Xerox, Webster, NY: the company’s manufacturing facility in Webster will produce disposable ventilators.
Locate Finger Lakes thanks the countless businesses, organizations and volunteers doing their part to support the needs of our communities during this time.