Bickford’s Group to make sanitisers at Salisbury factory
Salisbury business Bickford’s, which produces cordials, juices and other alcoholic beverages, will make its first batch of 60,000 bottles of hand sanitiser on Thursday.
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Production starts on Thursday on the first 60,000 bottles of hand sanitiser at Bickford’s Group Salisbury manufacturing site.
Bickford’s Group managing director said Angelo Kotses said the idea to transition to hand sanitiser came from the need to keep their own workers safe.
“Ethanol is the key ingredient of hand sanitiser, and we already produce ethanol for our alcohol products,” Mr Kotses said.
“We originally planned a small run of only 1500 cartons, but when the Queensland government approached us we were more than happy to help by providing hand sanitiser for essential needs throughout the state.”
While the bulk alcohol is being produced at its rum-producing Beenleigh Distillery in Queensland, the 250ml bottles of sanitiser are being made and packed in Adelaide.
The 250ml retail packs of 12 will be sold via the Wheel and Barrow website with a restriction of one carton per customer.
“Half of our first production run tomorrow – 30,000 bottles – have been made available to the public via the site and the remainder is for Queensland health authorities and Bickford's Group staff,” Chris Illman, Bickford’s Group sales and marketing manager, told The Advertiser.
Mr Illman said the group had also seen a major spike in online sales for its cordials and juices as staple items for Australian households.
“Our liquor business has also seen major spikes with brands like Vale Brewing, 23rd Street Signature Gin and Beresford wines for in-home consumption.”