Rare Coronavirus Success Story: Plexiglass Dealers Are Booming

For some plexiglass manufacturers April and March output increased by 300% compared to February, commodity intelligence service ICIS told CNBC. 

With picture framing deemed inessential, the Costa Mesa, Calif., company Best Framing was ordered to close—until owner Medi Bendanna pivoted the business to making expandable plexiglass shields, which has allowed it retain employees and keep sales numbers consistent with last year, according to CBSN Los Angeles.

“We just did the City Hall in Newport Beach, we did Pelican Hill Golf Course, we did my dentist’s office, my insurance’s office, we’re doing small businesses, dividers. Everybody has different reasons why they need them,” Bendanna told the local TV outlet. 

Business has increased 300% for Las Vegas-based fabrication business Plastic Man Inc., whose office manager told 8 NewsNow Las Vegas that 99% of their business is driven by plastic shields, which range from $165 to $385 per order, selling to customers like Burger King, McDonalds, cannabis dispensaries, nail salons, dentists and Costco—with demand backing up orders for as many as 26 weeks.

Another plexiglass manufacturer TAP Plastics in San Leandro, Calif., reported sales have increased 200% compared to last year, a level of business without precedent since the company’s 1963 start, according to Marker.