The Port of Los Angeles, as part of the Logistics Victory Los Angeles (LoVLA), has reached an agreement with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Honeywell to purchase 24 million N95 masks as part of a City stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE).
In a statement, the Port said the N95 masks were purchased at a competitive market rate and will be manufactured domestically at a Honeywell plant in Phoenix, Arizona.
Production of the masks will start in May and continue for 24 months. Masks will be distributed at cost to hospitals and health care providers in need through the LoVLA effort.
The agreement with Honeywell was negotiated through the City’s General Services Department and LoVLA, the City program created by Mayor Garcetti and headed by Gene Seroka, the Port of Los Angeles Executive Director and the City’s appointed Chief Logistics Officer during the crisis.
LoVLA is tasked with linking COVID-19 personal protective equipment suppliers with organizations in need.
“N95 masks are a must-have for the front line, but high demand has meant reliable supply chains have been difficult to find,” said Seroka.
“Honeywell has stepped in and shown exemplary corporate citizenship in this partnership with Los Angeles.”
“Healthcare providers are doing heroic work in this crisis — and we can’t let equipment shortages get in the way of saving lives,” said Mayor Garcetti.
“Every dollar, every minute, every offer of help counts right now. I’m grateful for Honeywell’s partnership with the City, which will help us get needed supplies to critical workers with more ease and reliability.”
