In the News

EAST LONGMEADOW – A longtime East Longmeadow based manufacturer’s well-known product has entered into the fight to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Excel Dryer, the makers of hot air hand driers, has shown through tests the unit’s HEPA filter can prevent the spread of both bacteria and viruses from the drier’s air stream, company president Denis Gagnon explained to Congressman Richard Neal during a visit to the company on May 6.

Excel has developed a mobile unit and has donated about 100 units to Gillette Stadium, the Eastern States Exposition and other locations in the Commonwealth.

The unit can be installed to support frontline workers at field sites and temporary facilities such as drive-through testing sites.

Gagnon added the company’s Xcelerator hand drier has also been installed at the first responder center established by Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi.

Gagnon explained the company has known for years how the drier can eliminate bacteria but testing conducted this year has shown an elimination of 97 percent of viruses from the air stream.

 Health officials have emphasized that proper handwashing is a vital part of preventing the spread of the virus and infection.

“We’re happy to help in any way we can,” Gagnon said.

 Neal, the chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee, had been instrumental in having the East Longmeadow firm classified as an “essential manufacturer.”

The driers are all manufactured in the United States. “We pride ourselves in making the product in the United States. We’ve never wanted to leave in the first place.”

Company officials believe there will be a new normal with businesses, such as restaurants, which will want patrons to wash their hands before coming into the business.

The mobile unit, combined with a dispenser of hand sanitizer, could be installed in the entry way of the business.

“Paper towels bring a lot of touch parts to hand drying,” Gagnon said.