The Seaford paint business making gallons of hand sanitiser amid virus crisis
A Seaford business owner is using his chemical expertise and an excess supply of alcohol IPA from his roof-coating firm to make sought-after hand sanitiser. And he’s selling it for “a reasonable price” to a very special market.
South East
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A Seaford based paint supplier has turned to making thousands of litres of hand sanitiser in a bid to supply the coveted product to local “frontline” workers amid the coronavirus crisis.
Mt Eliza father Perry Eckert’s roof coating business Nutech Paint is churning out thousands of litres of cosmetic hand sanitiser, with the 62-year-old doing “anything” he can to get the product to emergency services workers, delivery drivers and hospitals across the Frankston region.
The product is a combination of hand and surface sanitiser and is created under the World Health Organisation’s formula and guidelines.
“We had an excess supply of alcohol IPA which we use in a number of coatings so I decided perhaps I could use it to supply sanitiser to those most in need,” Mr Eckert told the Leader.
“It’s easy for us to sit on our couch and not think about things at this time. But delivery drivers, policeman and firemen — the frontliners — still have to do their jobs, and they’re often not given the (sanitation) materials needed.
“We’ve supplied to police and fire brigades in Frankston and Somerville, and hospitals in the area where it’s used in non-clinical areas.”
More than 2000 litres of sanitiser has been made since last week, with Mr Eckert dealing with “thousands” of messages from businesses and members of the public asking to stock up after the coronavirus outbreak triggered a global shortage.
But Mr Eckert, who also serves as the managing director for OsteoStrong Australia — a new bone health franchise business — said the hand sanitiser is not currently available to the public as the group focused on helping frontline workers.
Mr Eckert’s father-in-law Frank Ulm founded the business in 1972 and it is now the country’s largest supplier of premium domestic and industrial roof coatings with nine locations across the country and more warehouses in Florida and Scotland.
The company also makes the only house paint in Australia which absorbs carbon dioxide and formaldehyde with zero volatile organic compounds
“We’ve never been a price gauger or high price supplier … we don’t make anything offshore and hire locally,” Mr Eckert said.
“I’d rather supply locals with quality products at a reasonable price.”
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Despite many being unable to get their hands on hand sanitiser amid panic buying mayhem, Mr Eckert assured the community there were many other ways to stay clean.
“There is a global shortage of hand sanitiser but there isn’t a need to panic. There are other ways you can stay clean … washing the hands is the safest thing to do,” he said.
“You can carry some soap and water in your boot when travelling with your children.