True Value Company, which operates 4,500 independent hardware retail stores in the US and internationally, is now registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an over-the-counter drug manufacturer to produce hand sanitizer in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The wholesaler, which has one of the largest paint manufacturing facilities in the country and produces several millions of gallons of True Value Easy Care paint annually, is converting part of its space in Cary, IL to begin the production of hand sanitizer and cleaning products to help aid in the nationwide shortage.
 
The facility will ramp up production of tens of thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer however, the first several thousand gallons will be donated to True Value hardware stores across the country to arm its employees against contracting COVID-19 while they serve customers. The product is scheduled to be shipped to stores in early to mid-April.
 



In addition to hand sanitizer, the company is also manufacturing essential cleaning and sanitizing products such as hand soap, all-purpose cleansers with and without bleach, and degreasing cleanser. These products are quickly being produced to meet retailers' demand to help keep their stores a safe shopping environment for customers.
 
"In state after state, hardware stores have been declared 'essential' and permitted to stay open," said John Hartmann, president and CEO of True Value Company. "From hand sanitizer to tools and home maintenance products to farm and ranch items, local hardware stores play a critical role in keeping homes and communities up and running. During these unprecedented times, we're proud to do our part to help make a difference and get the much-coveted hand sanitizer onto True Value store shelves as quickly as we can."