Industrial filter manufacturer National Filters, Inc. is retooling and purchasing new machinery at its facility in Harbor Beach, Michigan. The company will produce healthcare equipment critical to COVID-19 relief efforts.

Established in 1986 in Harbor Beach, National Filters manufactures hydraulic filter cartridges, compressor oil and air filters, fuel filters, dust collection filters and more. Earlier this year, National Filters completed a 20,000-square-foot expansion at its existing facility.

The company recently received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation reported. Collateral support through MSF will allow National Filters to purchase equipment necessary to increase surgical mask production from 250 per day to 7,200 masks per hour, and begin producing N95 respirators at the rate of 2,000 per hour. The company will also rehire 16 employees who had been previously laid off due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Michigan Strategic Fund is providing $196,625 in collateral support through MEDC’s Collateral Support program that will serve to secure the company’s bank loan. Tri-County Bank of Brown City will provide a line of credit to National Filters to secure the additional machines to allow for the production of the equipment. National Filters is in discussion with medical facilities in the Thumb and across Michigan for distribution of the equipment, once production is underway.

“National Filters is proud to announce the addition of surgical masks and N95 respirators to our manufacturing portfolio which will help stop the spread of COVID-19. We will begin to manufacture these materials at our facility in Harbor Beach next month,” said National Filters President Todd Raines. “These masks and respirators are desperately needed by medical professionals and first responders across the State of Michigan. National Filters is pleased to add more production of these vital products to the USA as a long-term manufacturer in Michigan. We are grateful for the support we have received from the Huron EDC, Tri-County Bank and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation which helped us in the acquisition of the equipment to escalate domestic production during this crisis.”

“The decision by National Filters’ to retool and manufacture vital healthcare personal protection equipment will provide critical supplies in the fight against COVID-19 and builds on the Arsenal of Innovation taking place across Michigan,” said MEDC CEO Mark A. Burton. “We’re pleased to work with our local partners and support this project, and we commend the company for demonstrating resilience and ingenuity in helping to address this unprecedented public health crisis.”

The Huron County Economic Development Corporation worked with National Filters to assist in finding solutions in light of the COVID-19 crisis and connected the company to MEDC for support.

“We are happy that we were able to match available state resources with one of our local manufacturers during this challenging time. What National Filter is doing is a reflection of our national drive to meet the needs of our healthcare workers and the community,” said Huron County EDC Director Carl Osentoski. “The EDC is pleased to play a small part in this effort, led by National Filter, Tri-County Bank and MEDC. I would like to compliment everyone on their flexibility and the speed at which they reacted to the situation.”