Vaughan company to produce 100K units of hand sanitizer for relief agencies

Premier Doug Ford called on manufacturers to increase production of much-needed products

Yorkregion.com
March 30, 2020
Dina Al-Shibeeb

Last week, Premier Doug Ford urged businesses to ramp up their production of much-needed health products, such as hand sanitizers and ventilators, as COVID-19 crawls across Ontario.

In response, Perla Soaps and Detergents is “answering the call.” The company told Yorkregion.com on Monday, March 23 that it’s going to ramp up its production and manufacture about 100,000 units of hand sanitizers by Friday.

The sanitizers will be supplied to organizations that need it most, including health services, front-line relief agencies as well as the Salvation Army and other shelters.

Perla is also in touch with The Bargain Group, a non-profit that will distribute the sanitizer to shelters and those who are homeless, for example.

The company expressed a commitment to delivering the units, despite some challenges: the shortage of materials for the bottles as well as guaranteeing supplies of alcohol, a key ingredient to disinfect, but alcohol makers are also working hard to amp up their production of the required resource.

Currently, Perla is “pumping” out 70 mL and 4L jugs of 70 per cent isopropanol-based spray-mist, made with a much-desired aloe content. The product leaves a silky feel to the touch, void of sticky residue or dry, itchy skin reactions, the manufacturer shared.

“While we are fast filling orders for suppliers,” commented management, “we are increasing the supply line to make the products available to the general public at $3.50 a 70 mL bottle and free to seniors.”

In addition to soap and water, a 70- to 90-per-cent alcohol-based hand sanitizer can further reduce the risk of contamination.

Perla said it has been working closely with public health agency suppliers and local businesses to ensure that all efforts are taken to get hand sanitizer to those most vulnerable to the threat of COVID-19.

“We all must do our due diligence to flatline the COVID-19 curve,” said a Perla Soaps and Detergents spokesperson. “Stay home, stay safe and practice good hygiene at all times.”