Noble efforts all, but one company that caught our eye is Spectrum Brands, the maker of the venerable Cutter insect repellent.


Last week, Spectrum announced that it shifted production in its Blacksburg, Va., manufacturing plant to produce hand sanitizer. The hand sanitizer is being produced during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the company’s facilities, US employees, and several local organizations in communities where the company operates. In just two weeks, the Blacksburg team formulated and pivoted manufacturing to produce hand sanitizer, a much-needed product during this unprecedented pandemic. The team then began supplying the hand sanitizer to all 15 Spectrum Brands facilities and offices across the US to promote the safety of the organization’s employees.


In addition to supplying hand sanitizer to employees and facilities, Cutter brand will donate hand sanitizer to local organizations across the communities in which Spectrum Brands has operations. Cutter mosquito and tick repellent products have been protecting families for over 50 years as one of the leading repellent brands in the US.


“It’s a natural extension of the brand portfolio to expand the Cutter line beyond insect protection to fight germs as well,” said Steve Schwallie, division VP-marketing at Spectrum Brands. “We are pleased to be able to move into this segment and provide these products for our community partners.”


According to Schwallie, Spectrum was well-equipped to handle the transition from insect repellent to hand sanitizer.


"We were able to find a bottle that worked well with our existing production line and only required minor changes to run," he told Happi.


Unlike so many other companies that made the switch to hand sanitizer, Spectrum had no trouble sourcing alcohol.

 
"We have existing relationships with ethanol suppliers as it is used in some of our personal repellents," Schwallie explained. "Currently our supply chain is strong. The hand sanitizer is a liquid pump spray and does not use carbomer." 


While the Spectrum team continues to identify community partners, Carilion Clinic, a not-for-profit health care organization based in Roanoke, VA, and the St. Louis Area Foodbank are among the first organizations to receive Cutter hand sanitizer donations. The St. Louis Area Foodbank will distribute the donated sanitizers to its network and use them within its facility.


“We are so grateful for our ongoing partnership with Cutter brand and for this donation of hand sanitizers,” said Meredith Knopp, president and CEO for the St. Louis Area Foodbank. “Proper sanitation is critical for us to continue serving those in need in the St. Louis community. Cutter brand has been a longtime partner of ours, and this donation will go a long way—for our network and the individuals in need of assistance in our community.”


Cutter hand sanitizer will also be available to consumers in the coming weeks, according to Spectrum.