Local Manufacturing Company Steps Up to Assist During Covid-19 Crisis

Bucolic Frelinghuysen Township is home to a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility which has found itself on the front lines of the current public health crisis.  James Alexander Corporation (JAC) produces plastic applications, packaging materials and solutions used in a variety of industries, but its ability to churn out products currently in use by pharmaceutical companies has placed it at the forefront of the testing currently underway by medical professionals in their attempts to get the data necessary to re-open the local economy.  The company was founded in 1976 by Francesca Fazzolari (now serving as JAC’s Chief Executive Officer) and Alexander Davidson.

“We manufacture products that our customers use to develop tests for the Coronavirus,” explains Dave Robinson, President, James Alexander Corporation.  “We also make products to test for strep throat and tuberculosis, as well as a couple of products that are used to test the fit of respirators.  All of these are in high demand right now.”

The privately held company has been in business for more than 35 years and is a leading manufacturer, contract packager, and custom filler of unit-dose dispensing systems that are ideal for skin care and topical applications.  The company’s packages are sold in a variety of markets, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, law enforcement, and veterinary products.  

James Alexander Corporation is recognized for its innovations in glass ampoule packaging and its development of a revolutionary single-use plastic ampoule delivery system for contract packaging applications. The company offers contract filling services and single-use packaging solutions such as plastic ampoules, crushable glass ampoules, snap-top vials, unit dose swabs, inhalants and dropper tip assemblies.   Packaging design and development, compounding, sample runs, prototyping, and sterilization are also provided to customers, if desired.

Staying abreast of marketplace trends and managing supply chains has been challenging.  “We’ve done a lot of work with our suppliers to get inventory when we recognize that there will be a shortage,” remarks Robinson.  “We recognized months ago that we would not be able to get enough hand sanitizer, so since we blend formulations for pharmaceutical clients here anyway, we started to make our own, based on a WHO recommended formulation.”  The company has since offered the sanitizer to local first responders along with coveted surgical masks.

With more than 100 employees on site, maintaining a healthy work environment has been a top priority.  The company’s own hand sanitizer is placed strategically throughout the facility, all staff members are always required to wear masks, and appropriate social distancing is maintained.  “The most important thing is taking care of our employees and making sure that they are comfortable being here.  A lot of people are scared.  We are taking important steps to make sure that everyone has the Personal Protective Equipment they need.  It’s been a challenge.” 

“We deeply appreciate that James Alexander cares so much about the community and has helped us protect those who are working to protect our citizens,” commented Nick Pachnos, Frelinghuysen Township Director of Emergency Management.

The company has a long history of community involvement, including founder Francesa Fazzolari’s support of local non-profit agency Project Self-Sufficiency.  “We are indebted to James Alexander for their unflagging support and creativity during our more than 30-year history of serving low-income individuals and families in northwestern New Jersey,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “Francesca Fazzolari was instrumental in creating our signature fundraising event, A Taste of Talent, which has brought in crucial funds for our programs over the years.  It is not surprising that the staff continues to give back in such a significant way during this pandemic.”

“Communication is important,” adds Robinson.  “We rely solely on the CDC and the WHO for information, and that information keeps changing, sometimes on a weekly basis.  Our employees are very aware that they are making an important contribution currently.  I know that they take pride in what they are doing.”