A fledgling Moray business is ready to launch its range of hand sanitisers into another seven European countries after a rampant UK market entry.
Just Sanitise already boasts a 10-acre maufacturing plant, bottling facilities, a team of 50 people, 24/7 distribution network and fleet of 33 vehicles, with 42 trailers, just months after getting up and running.
It is based in newly leased premises in Craigellachie, on Speyside, and run by Aberdonian entrepreneur Nicola Hartland.
Prompted by “extortionate” personal protective equipment costs at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ms Hartland and business partner Brent Bowie enlisted contacts from a variety of sectors to help their enterprise.
From a standing start, the firm grew production to more than 220,000 gallons a week of World Health Oranisation-approved sanitiser by the end of its first quarter. It is now supplying about 300 supermarkets around the UK, as well as organisations across the public and private sectors.
Ms Hartland, who is also co-founder and chief executive of Hampshire-based data protection software firm iCaaS, and a mentor for Santander’s Women Business Leaders programme, insisted Just Sanitise “wasn’t in it for the short-run”.
The former Cults Academy pupil added: “I want it to be a sustainable business, with an ethical supply chain.”
Part of new holding company Grampian Manufacturing Group, Just Sanitise has committed to a £100,000 gift to NHS Charities Together in its first year, as well as donating its sanitiser to community organisations throughout the UK.