When demand for Heritage Distilling’s hand sanitizer exploded, Ardagh Group offered glass bottling solutions

Shortly after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, Heritage Distilling Co. switched from producing and bottling spirits to producing and bottling FDA- and WHO-compliant hand sanitizer for consumer and business use at their Gig Harbor, Wash., and Eugene, Ore., distilleries.

Then, in May 2020, the need for glass bottles increased markedly when hand sanitizer production skyrocketed with the addition of a new distillery location, Heritage Distilling Co. at Talking Cedar, the nation’s first legal tribally-owned distillery and one of the largest craft distilleries west of the Mississippi River. HDC Hand Sanitizer produced in this location is a partnership between Heritage Distilling Co. and the Chehalis Tribe and is located on the Chehalis Indian Reservation in Rochester, Wash.

“The need for hand sanitizer has been rapidly evolving from week to week,” said Justin Stiefel, CEO of Heritage Distilling Co. “We went from producing 16,000 gallons per month to 600,000 gallons per month overnight with just a few weeks to plan how we were going to bottle it and get it into the hands of businesses and consumers.”

Ardagh Group, Glass – North America, a business unit of Ardagh Group, emerged as a partner to produce and supply glass bottles for the now insane demand for hand sanitizer during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Without hesitation, Ardagh Group responded to our need and identified solutions to support this historic initiative,” Stiefel said. “We are tremendously grateful for their partnership.”

The hand sanitizer is packaged in the 750 ml Inspiration Stelvin ECO Series glass bottle, manufactured in the U.S. by Ardagh. This ECO Series bottle is developed and designed to maintain high-quality appeal while lessening the overall environmental impact by requiring less energy demand, transportation impact and CO₂ emissions.

“Ardagh takes great pride in partnering with Heritage Distilling Co. to help supply the increased demand for hand sanitizer during this pandemic,” said John T Shaddox, Chief Commercial Officer for Ardagh’s North American Glass business unit. “This unique initiative also helps support the American economy with products that are made in the U.S.”    

The 750ml bottles of sanitizer are available in any one of five Heritage Distilling tasting rooms, online at HeritageDistilling.com, in Tribal convenience stores, on Amazon.com and at select retailers.