True Value readies own brand of sanitizer, disinfectants

Having registered with the Food and Drug Administration to become an over-the-counter drug manufacturer, Chicago-based True Value has been cleared to produce its own brand of hand sanitizer, aiming to help with the current shortage in the U.S.

The hardware company with more than 4.500 independent small hardware stores is using its plant in Cary, Ill., to kick off production of tens of thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer. The first several thousand gallons will be donated to True Value hardware stores for its employees to use as a safety measure against contracting COVID-19. The product will then be available mid-April.

True Value has its own brand of paint, True Value Easy Care, that is produced in the Cary plant, and space is being converted for hand sanitizer production and also cleaning products.

The cleaning products planned for production include hand soap, all-purpose cleansers with and without bleach, and degreasing cleanser. The company has not said how much the products will cost and if they will also carry the True Value Easy Care name.

"In state after state, hardware stores have been declared 'essential' and permitted to stay open," said John Hartmann, president and CEO, True Value. "From hand sanitizer to tools and home maintenance products to farm and ranch items, local hardware stores play a critical role in keeping homes and communities up and running. During these unprecedented times, we're proud to do our part to help make a difference and get the much-coveted hand sanitizer onto True Value store shelves as quickly as we can."