Local firm taps into demand for nasal swabs

Grafton manufacturer Microbrush International is expanding its Covid-19 nasal swab testing production capacity after the company invested more than $10 million to convert its equipment and supply chain network in April.

The Village Plan Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved a conditional-use permit for the firm to occupy a portion of the Grafton Self-Storage facility at 550 Beech St. The company, which is based at 1376 Cheyenne Ave., will use 14,000 square feet in the northeast corner of the building.

“We’re excited to make swabs to help fight Covid,” Plant Manager Nat Blaz said, noting the new facility will add about 24 new employees.

Before the pandemic, Microbrush molded dental products for restorative, preventative and specialty uses. The dental industry was not classified as essential and about 90 of the 110 employees were furloughed in spring.

Now, nearly all of the employees have returned to their jobs and are making 1.5 million nasopharyngeal test swabs each week. The six-inch-long swabs are inserted into the cavity between the nose and mouth.

CEO Dave Sproat told Ozaukee Press the Department of Defense and Cleveland Clinic are the company’s biggest customers. 

Sproat said the company decided to shift gears when it realized the nasopharyngeal test swabs looked similar to the dental hygiene products it makes.

It took about 90 days for Microbrush to shift its technology from making dental micro-applicators to testing swabs. It brought the product to market in June.

Microbrush has been in Grafton for 30 years. Sproat said his company plans to remain in the medical field after the pandemic subsides and also continue producing dental hygiene products.