A Rockhampton rum and gin distillery has begun manufacturing hand sanitiser to help local emergency services, schools and nursing homes in the fight against COVID-19.
Saleyards Distillery in Allenstown is one of many Queensland manufacturers which have responded to the call to change production to make sanitiser.
It joins companies such as Beenleigh Rum, Bundaberg Rum, Grandad Jacks and grooming product manufacturer The Bearded Chap, which have all responded to the call for additional manufacturing support.
Queensland State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Cameron Dick said the company was swapping over factory floors to boost local supplies of hand sanitiser.
“It’s great to see more of our mighty Queensland manufacturers stepping up to the plate and MakingitForQld,” he said.
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Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said it was great to see local companies like the Saleyards Distillery helping out its local community in this time of crisis.
“This is a relatively new business that has thrived through delivering innovative quality products, so it’s no surprise that it’s been able to turn that agility into a benefit for the whole community,” O’Rourke said.
Saleyards Distillery spokesperson Carla Di Felice said the company had been in business for three years making its own rum, gin, infused vodka and non-alcoholic concentrates, before turning to making sanitiser in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We have been able to already distribute 200 litres of hand sanitiser to local ambulance stations, firies, schools and nursing homes,” Di Felice said.
“Now we are waiting on a new shipment of ethanol, hopefully next week, so that we can make some more.
“We can’t make it fast enough and have taken some pre-orders, but people should keep an eye on our social media channels for more information about when the next batch will be ready.”