Mission Viejo beverage maker Smart Cups LLC has retooled its manufacturing operations to make hand sanitizer and address the shortage resulting from the pandemic.
The company has so far been able to produce more than 70,000 bottles, of which 20,000 were made in the past week. That inventory has either been sent or is on the way to the cities of Mission Viejo and Laguna Beach, Orange County Fire Authority, Regency Real Estate and Sky Chefs Inc. at Los Angeles International Airport.
Smart Cups, started by CEO Chris Kanik, sells drinks actually printed onto the surface of cups. Users then add water or any liquid to create their drink.
The company joins a growing roster of Orange County businesses that have shifted their manufacturing operations to address shortages of personal protective equipment or other essentials.
Those businesses include Brea-based AST Sportswear making masks, St. John Knits of Irvine making gowns, Blinking Owl Distillery in Santa Ana received drugmaker classification by the FDA and is now producing hand sanitizer and Foothill Ranch-based SeneGence International is also making sanitizer.
Go here for more updates on OC companies’ responses to the coronavirus.
For ongoing, in-depth coverage of the coronavirus’ effects on OC businesses, see the Monday print edition of the Business Journal.
