Although it may have a new location and name, Renew02’s team is bringing nearly two decades of work and innovation to its new storefront and manufacturing site at 1034 N. Partick.
Renew02 in its various forms has served customers all over the world with its line of air purification systems, which range from a pocketable personal unit to room units that can cover up to 1000 feet.
Antonio Cugini, son of owners Mario and Maria Cugini said they began work in 2002-2003 after a couple of problems presented the need for better air filtration.
“Back then, ironically it was the original SARS Coronavirus [that the air purifiers were designed to combat],” he said.
The outbreak and the devastation of California wildfires had the team working to find a solution.
They have had multiple innovations along the way and was even featured in an article by Wired for its partnership with Victorinox on a jacket that integrated their personal unit, running from a breast pocket into the collar.
The family was also busy with their other business, FoxFury Lighting, which offers lighting solutions for filmmakers, drones, emergency response and much more. The success of this business meant they couldn’t devote as much time to RenewO2 for several years.
Their goal in recent years, has been refocusing the company and getting manufacturing done in the USA, so they were looking for the right location.
Antonio said the family has known Eddy Weiss of the National Health and Public Safety History Museum for more than a decade, which prompted their involvement in a speaking engagement in Dublin while donating drone equipment to Erath County Sheriff’s Office.
While visiting the town, Mario was able to witness the care that the Dublin community had for each other.
A resident had a medical emergency and while talking to the Dubliner, Mario witnessed countless neighbors come in to check on them.
This (coupled with a central location) prompted him to start looking at buildings for Renew02. At the May 28 ribbon cutting, Maria said she could see the care that Mario witnessed as she got to know Dublin.
When asked who the potential customer base for Renew02’s products is, Antonio said, “If you asked me three years ago, I would probably have had a different answer.”
He continued that the needs they fill are varied with potential customers ranging from those that are immuno-suppressed to industries looking to get their employees back to work safely.
“We have different products to fill different environments,” Antonio said.
These include the units mentioned beforehand, a compact unit for tabletops and cubicles, a wall-mounted unit and more.
All of these, as well as some of FoxFury’s products, are on display in the Dublin retail space.
Meanwhile, the new members of the Dublin business community will make new units and continue to innovate with new products on the horizon.
For more information, visit renewO2.com.