Story Published:
Sep 4, 2009 at 6:55 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Sep 4, 2009 at 6:28 PM CDT
NIXA, Mo -- One business is finding a lot of success in helping protect people from viruses.
Aire-Master has been in business for over 50 years with its corporate headquarters in Nixa.
With concerns over the H1N1 Virus, this company has been very busy. Demand is up 218 percent for instant hand sanitizer.
"This time of the year, with flu season coming on, we're talking about prevention," division manager Melissa Cook said. "We've had a huge demand from our distributors, so it's very important to kill odors, prevent germs and keep people healthy."
As the swine flu worsens, the company's bottom line improves. Aire-Master's been in existance since 1958. You've probably seen its mascot: a cute little skunk in a diaper.
The instant hand sanitizing gel is flying from Nixa to many states and countries.
"Right now, Japan is our second largest exporter," Cook said.
Any given year, Aire-Master goes through 33,000 gallons of 200-proof ethanol. This year it's projected to use three times that amount -- 105,000 gallons. That means 175,000 gallons of germ fighting gel concocted this year.
"That's an increase of 218 percent," Cook said.
Demand is pushing the manufacturing and Aire-Master is coming out smelling like a skunk in a diaper. Two extra shifts were formed and a dozen new employees hired for 24/7 production to help with the H1N1 demand.
"Whether it's hype or not," Cook said about the swine flu, "it's all about prevention."
