GROVE CITY, Ohio — Bexley native Jacob Block's dream of running a business is finally becoming a reality. 

What You Need To Know

  • Jacob Block owns American Nitrile, a company that aims to employ 400 people in Grove City

  • Block recently secured $105 million to complete 12 production lines for disposable gloves

  • American Nitrile will start its first assembly line in Grove City this July, and they hope to add an additional five lines by the end of the year

He's the CEO of startup American Nitrile, a company that produces disposable gloves for health care, as well as the food service industry. 

Block recently secured $105 million to complete 12 production lines, over three football fields long, with the capacity of nearly 4 million nitrile gloves per year. 

“Got exposed to this industry, so did the supply chain and how broken it was, but nothing we're doing here is predicated on the pandemic or shortages. This is a long-term play,” said Block. 

The 29-year-old is well versed in business, growing up as a member of the Block's Bagels family. 

He said his late father, Steve, had a profound influence on this newest venture. 

“Was really the work ethic and dedication to his employees, and his passion for the product, the bagels, and so you grow up with that and you see what people are willing to do and what it really takes to operate a business. He was most excited for me as a son obviously, but also for the city and for this country for the ability to bring manufacturing back, to give people high-paying jobs,” said Block. 

More than 95% of global nitrile glove production takes place overseas, according to the company, but Block said American Nitrile's combination of manufacturing and automation will help keep supply high and cost down. 

The company also received a $3.5 million grant from JobsOhio, the first pre-revenue company to do so. 

“It just shows the support that the state has for entrepreneurship, for business, and they really want to see you succeed. And you keep the money here. You're not shipping it to Asia or other countries around the world. The money is gonna stay here. It's gonna go into the schools. It's gonna go into the parks. It's gonna go into, you know, all the things the city does here,” said Block. 

Block said four out of every 10 gloves produced in the country go to hospital settings, with the remainder shipped to the food and beverage industries. 

The 530,000-square-foot facility is expected to employ 400 people. 

American Nitrile will start its first assembly line in Grove City this July, and they hope to add an additional five lines by the end of the year. 

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