Houston Republic

A Houston distillery is starting to manufacture hand sanitizer as local stores fall behind and struggle to keep the product on their shelves due to the coronavirus crisis.

The Gulf Coast Distillery experts are using their expertise to add hand sanitizer to their list of products. The distillery usually produces vodka, whiskey, bourbon and beer at its location in the East Houston area. The distillery also produces coffee.

Two weeks ago, the distillery applied for a federal permit to produce the sanitizer. The company acquired the permit last week. The company says it is all set to start producing and selling hand sanitizer and isopropyl alcohol.

Carlos de Aldecoa, who is the president of Gulf Coast Distillers, told Click 2 Houston that the company saw panic rising due to the lack of sanitizer on store shelves. Carlos emphasized the importance of good hygiene and citizens having the ability to properly sanitize their hands.

“We saw the panic in people trying to buy the products and how important it is to stopping the virus to make sure people sanitize properly and keep the hygiene levels that are needed to get this thing to stop,” said de Aldecoa. “What we thought about last week, with the shortages is ‘how can we help the community?'”

The distillery is using a formula provided by the Food and Drug Administration. The company says it is prepared to produce “several hundred thousand” bottles of hand sanitizer and isopropyl alcohol and have the first shipments soon, de Aldecoa says.

Carlos de Aldecoa also says he thinks the move will ease a lot of strain on the supply chain. He says he isn't sure how long the distillery will produce the products, but the company is honored to help make the change.

“I think it will help ease a lot of the strain on the supply chain by having somebody jump in and fill that gap," he said. “We don’t know if it’s going to be something that we will do for three weeks for four weeks for two weeks, but we’re glad we can make a change.”