Coronavirus Disinfectant: Clorox Sees 500% Surge In Demand Since The Pandemic

Clorox, famous for its bleach and cleaning products, has made more than 40 million items for the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, and demand for the brand has reportedly surged to 500% amid the coronavirus pandemic, which started in March.

The company CEO Benno Dorer told NBC News their plants have been operating non-stop to produce the cleaning products needed at hospitals. Clorox has also added 263 new workers to its 8,000 staff while giving $1,000 bonuses to some of its low-level employees so they can meet their production targets.

Long-time employees said working at Clorox has become a mission since pandemic.

"When I come in, it's not just a normal 9-to-5 job anymore," Carleton Mitchell, who works at the Atlanta factory said. "I don't just see it as products anymore. I see it as a line of defense against this fight against the virus itself.”

Clorox, however, is ensuring the safety of its workers by enforcing social distancing. Employees are also required to wear face coverings and gloves, while their temperatures are regularly checked.

Staff breaks and meal times are also on a staggered schedule to limit crowding. In a way, Dorer said the workers at five of its Clorox plants are also frontliners.

The disinfectant business has been brisk that Dorer said it will be investing $50 million in advertising and promotion.

"I hear a lot about companies investing less in their brands these days," Dorer said via CNBC. "We believe this is the time to serve as many consumers as possible, not just with disinfectant products but also as people grill more as they stay home.”

Clorox surpassed the three-month projection from Wall Street after it raked $1.89 per share and $1.78 billion in total revenue for the third quarter of its current fiscal year. Its stock has risen to 25% in 2020.

However, Dorer said customers might not find their popular products to combat COVID-19 fully stocked in stores until the summer as the plants are still catching up to the demand.

"Demand has been clearly unprecedented, and we're in uncharted territory for our supply chain, in particular, in disinfecting products," Dorer said.