JCC Company to Sell Product Overseas

By Desiree Parker Friday, October 07, 2011

A James City County business, Breathe Healthy, recently signed an exclusive distribution agreement with a company in Saudi Arabia.

Breathe Healthy will supply respiratory masks to TamayzMedical, a subsidiary of Alajaji Group. The company, based in Saudi Arabia, will supply the masks to home supply and health chains in outlets across the Middle East and Africa to help protect citizens against the frequent sand and dust storms.

“Our products are a higher end alternative to paper disposable masks,” said Michael Vahey, owner of Breathe Healthy.

“Wearing a mask in the Middle East is more prevalent than in the U.S., due to the high number of sand and dust storms in the area. Now, customers in this region will have a choice that is more comfortable, reusable, stylish and highly effective. We hope our product will soon establish itself as the high quality, highly fashionable market leader.”

The county's Economic Development Director Russel Seymour said the move is a positive step for the company. "This distribution agreement is an important step for Breathe Healthy. Not only does it expand their existing consumer base, but by adding an overseas client, it will help to provide access to additional markets."

According to the company’s website, the Breathe Healthy masks are a "hybrid" mask somewhere between a standard medical mask and a higher-filtering respirator. They are better than surgical masks because they offer more protection by form fitting to the face and eliminating gaps that let unfiltered air enter the lungs.

They are also more comfortable, and are not a one-time-use-only mask.

Breathe Healthy has been a part of the Business and Technology Incubator, a collaboration between the county and William and Mary, since 2010. The incubator helps encourage small business start-ups by providing various programs and services. "Identifying opportunities that will assist and promote our existing businesses continues to be a primary focus of James City County," Seymour said.