Demand for hand sanitizer has escalated throughout the world as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with shortages of this product being the norm for consumers as well as essential U.S. supply chain workers and first responders. InkJet, Inc. is a woman-owned small business that is playing a role in ensuring that this essential product is available to address this critical need for plant and warehouse workers, package handlers, grocery store stockers, healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, firefighters and others who are doing their best to keep Americans healthy and safe.
Based in the Houston suburb of Willis, InkJet, Inc. typically produces industrial printing inks for an extensive range of industry sectors and applications. InkJet, Inc.’s leaders recognized that many of the same chemicals used in the industrial ink production process are the same as those needed for the production of hand sanitizer in accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines and began producing and shipping liquid hand sanitizer in late March.
Due to demand, the company has gone from one production line and one shift to three production lines and two shifts. They have also almost doubled the number of production people, employing temporary workers to meet these demands.
InkJet, Inc. initially donated hand sanitizers to Houston area law enforcement agencies. The company is now selling its hand sanitizer online and is shipping quart bottles, one-gallon jugs, five-gallon pails, and large volume drums and totes. In addition to requesting that InkJet, Inc. ship this product, local buyers have an option to pick up the product from the company’s Willis warehouse. Pick up is a non-contact experience.