Queensland cleaning manufacturer OzKleen mops up as virus fears spread

Several Queensland-based companies are cashing in as coronavirus spreads with one business reporting sales have doubled in two weeks while another has ramped up production by 30 per cent.

THE global spread of coronavirus is proving a boon for Queensland manufacturers tied to personal hygiene and domestic cleaning.

Award-winning cleaning products manufacturer OzKleen has seen sales more than double in the last two weeks in response to the spread of the virus.

The company is now looking at putting on an extra shift that will mean its Ormeau-based factory will be producing disinfectants, floor and bathroom cleaning products 16 hours a day.

OzKleen chief executive Mark Quinn said it was not only major supermarkets that were demanding more of the company’s products.

People wearing masks near the Coronavirus tent at the RBWH. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

“We have the general public ringing up and asking for cleaning and other products,” Mr Quinn said. “One lady even wanted to know if we sold toilet paper.”

Mr Quinn said there was growing demand for OzKleen products in the United Kingdom, China, Japan and Korea.

“Coronavirus is not going to go away,” he said.

“There has always been the flu but this has concentrated people’s minds about the need for hygiene. We will now be looking at putting on extra staff to deal with the increased production.”

Founded in 1995, OzKleen initially operated from a single shop in Beenleigh where it sold directly to the public. Its products are now stocked in all major supermarkets.

OzKleen CEO Mark Quinn at his factory at Yatala. Picture: Adam Head

OzKleen has seen sales climb more than 40 per cent in the last four years as it took on international brands such as Dettol, Domestos, Jif and Ajax on the supermarket shelves.

Mr Quinn said the company also planned to start selling face masks in response to coronavirus along with its other range of cleaning products.

Workers clean a subway station in Brooklyn as New York City confronts the coronavirus outbreak on March 11.

Carole Park-based toilet tissue manufacturer Queensland Tissue Products has ramped up production by 30 per cent to 150 tonnes a day to meet increased demand.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick paid to site visit to the factory earlier this week to help assure the public that production will meet demand for toilet paper.

“They are producing enough toilet paper each day to fill Suncorp Stadium,” said Mr Dick. “You can be confident Queensland manufacturers are producing what you need.”

Meanwhile, the fall off in Australians planning overseas holidays has resulted in a “silver lining” for Brisbane-based motor home and caravan company Apollo Tourism and Leisure.

Apollo chief executive Luke Trouchet said there had been a spike in people renting motorhomes and caravans for domestic holidays. “People in Sydney or Melbourne are renting a van and within a few hours are away from the crowds,” said Mr Trouchet. “This has come at a good time for us as the international visitors don’t start arriving until the middle of the year. We also have had people calling us and wanting to rent a van in case they have to self isolate away from their family.”

He added that at the recent Gold Coast Camping and Caravan Show there had been a 40 per cent increase in sales of vans.