CLEVELAND - You may know that companies like Progressive, Goodyear, FirstEnergy and Sherwin Williams are all based in northeast Ohio, but there are other well-known businesses here that you may not realize.
The Mace brand has been developing, manufacturing and selling personal defense sprays since 1970.
“Mace brand pepper spray and our products are great for being able to defend yourself and also get away without actually causing permanent damage,” says Jessica Adanich, director of Marketing and Creative Services. “Pepper spray that we make here is made with actual hot pepper oil, so it’s like putting hot sauce in a spray can and using it to spray. If you’ve ever cut hot peppers in the kitchen or onions, you feel that. So that’s basically the effect in massive form that you’re going to do if you’re in a situation.”
They brought their hot pepper oil spray and about 35 jobs to Cleveland from Vermont in 2013 and couldn’t be happier.
“Cleveland is just an amazing city. It was great benefits for us in terms of getting a great building and facility. People here are just absolutely fantastic and then also the ability to ship quickly and efficiently from here.”
When most people hear the term Mace, they think of the brand’s staple product, the pop top pepper spray. However, they produce everything from that same spray inside a working pen to specially designed bear spray.
“The formula that we use is made with natural ingredients and are not actually going to permanently hurt or damage the bear, but essentially it comes out in a fog and it will get to the bear’s nose and that’s what you want to hit,” says Adanich.
They also make a similar product called Muzzle to safely deter a dog if it attacks and alarms that send off high pitched tones. They make all of that right here, in downtown Cleveland.
Adanich says, “We’re always looking to advance our line and come out with the next best thing for people when it comes to being empowered and having confidence in their safety and security.”