CAMBRIDGE — SunX Analytical Founder Barry Pritchard realized before the quarantine his company was in a unique position to alter their production capabilities to also manufacture hand sanitizer. With both the equipment and a reliable supply of key ingredients, he was able to quickly shift gears to meet the critical needs for disinfecting rubs.

“While we possessed the appropriate equipment, standard operating procedures had to be implemented,” said. “The Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization (WHO) have published guidelines on how to produce sanitizing hand rub for both consumers and health professionals.”
Pritchard is focusing initial sales and distribution effort on local municipalities. He’s also targeting support for local hospitals and businesses.

“One of the biggest challenges faced in producing sanitizing products is the significant demand for food grade alcohol and spray bottles,” he notes. “Most distributors are only selling material to pre-existing customers. Fortunately, we have the prior relationships to fill our supply chain.”
SunX Analytical is an independent Maryland-based Industrial Hemp processing and testing laboratory.

“We are dedicated to providing the technical resources and infrastructure in support of industrial hemp production in the State of Maryland,” a statement on the company’s website says. “As Maryland’s first comprehensive industrial hemp company, SunX brings vast experience in all aspects of hemp-derived CBD isolating and product formulation.”
SunX operates from Dorchester County Economic Development’s Innovation Center on Bucktown Road.

To date, SunX’s Innovation Center laboratory has manufactured 2,000 six-ounce bottles of sanitizer. In the coming months, he anticipates producing larger size containers for refilling hand pumps.
And, like fellow innovation center entrepreneur Ladda Walker, Barry points to the importance of flexibility to remain solvent during turbulent times.
“Our ability to quickly pivot focus and resources as market conditions changed is a key to our success in a soft market.”

Pritchard has also found the Innovation Center’s rural location on Bucktown Road a distinct advantage. With limited access to SunX’s facility, he’s made the best of physical distancing by holding meetings outside.
As Maryland moves cautiously into Phase One of the recovery stage, this scientist, innovator and small-town advocate would like to see society focus on building local micro economies as the U.S. once did to empower communities. Visit SunX Analytical’s website to learn more.

If you have a new business service or product to help businesses continue to safely re-open, visit the Eastern Shore Innovation Center’s website or contact Economic Development Director Susan Banks at 410-228-0155.
This article also appears in the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce’s newsletter “Currents.”