Darby Group Companies, the parent company of Darby Dental Supply, has announced a strategic investment in American Nitrile, the largest manufacturer of nitrile gloves in the US, based in Grove City, Ohio. Darby will be the first dental supplier to distribute the highly anticipated DenTouch Gloves—a new glove designed to meet the unique needs of the dental market with patented compression tip technology that improves dexterity and simplifies handling of small, intricate instruments used by dentists and dental hygienists. This technology represents the biggest innovation in nitrile gloves in over a decade.
Darby Group Companies Announces Strategic Investment in American Nitrile
The new DenTouch gloves offer several key advantages over their foreign-produced counterparts. They provide superior protection by meeting a pinhole AQL of 1.5, exceeding the FDA requirement by 60%. With all manufacturing and research and development taking place in American Nitrile’s state-of-the-art facility in Ohio, the company ensures ethical labor practices and sustainable manufacturing processes at every step.
Furthermore, American Nitrile eliminates unpredictable trans-pacific shipping, port delays, and the need for high safety stock. The company also emphasizes sustainability, recycling up to 40 gallons of water per case of gloves and using 100% recycled and recyclable cardboard packaging.
“Darby Group Companies’ commitment to bringing best-in-class solutions to the dental market has been central to our investment strategy,” said Frank Massino, president. “At the core of our business, we believe in making our customers’ lives easier and more efficient through innovative solutions to everyday problems. DenTouch gloves are a game-changer for the dental market due to their improved dexterity and unmatched ability to handle small instruments, resulting in more efficient and comfortable procedures. We are thrilled to bring the benefits of these gloves to dental practices and improve the quality of patient care nationwide.”
Bringing the DenTouch glove to market is a natural progression for Darby Dental, which maintains an entire division dedicated to gloves. “Love Your Glove” by Darby offers customers a wide selection of nitrile, polychloroprene, latex gloves, and more, along with expertise on fit and functionality from the company’s highly trained glove experts.
“Darby’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and delivering the highest quality products to the market aligns with our own commitment and mission,” said Jacob Block, CEO and Founder of American Nitrile. “We are excited to leverage their decades of experience, expansive distribution network, and unwavering dedication to customers to bring DenTouch gloves to market.”
Dental professionals can get a first look at the DenTouch gloves at Dykema’s Definitive Conference for DSOs in Aurora, Colorado, from July 19–21, 2023, where they will be debuted and receive the 2023 Innovation Award. Practices across the country can begin placing orders during this time.
For more information, please visit www.darby.com/dentouch.
About Darby Dental Supply
Darby Dental Supply has been a trusted provider of dental supplies and solutions for over 75 years. With a comprehensive catalog of over 50,000 products, Darby serves dental practices of all sizes, offering convenient access to technology services, equipment repair, private label products, and specialized divisions for gloves, specialties, and capital equipment.
Founded in 1947 as a mail-order catalog in Brooklyn, Darby has grown to become one of the largest dental distributors in the US, consistently delivering over one million orders annually. Throughout its history, Darby has remained committed to prioritizing the needs of its customers.
Beyond enhancing dental practices, Darby is dedicated to making a positive impact on communities and the environment. Through purposeful investments and advocacy efforts, the company aims to contribute to a better world for future generations. For more information about Darby Dental Supply, please visit www.darby.com.
About American Nitrile
American Nitrile is a privately held company headquartered in Grove City, Ohio. Specializing in the manufacturing of medical and nonmedical gloves for healthcare, government, and industrial use, American Nitrile operates from a state-of-the-art 530,000 square foot manufacturing facility. Upon reaching full scale in 2024, the company is projected to produce approximately 3.6 billion gloves annually. With a team of experienced entrepreneurs and operators with expertise in manufacturing, supply chain, and personal protective equipment (PPE), American Nitrile is dedicated to delivering high-quality products.
For more information about American Nitrile, please visit www.americannitrile.com.
