In a world filled with uncertainty, Bell International Laboratories is certainly doing its part during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the commitment of our CEO Mo Saremi, Bell International Laboratories has dramatically increased its production of alcohol-based hand sanitizer sprays and gels. As coronavirus spreads around the world, the need for hand sanitizers has increased exponentially; as a result, there is a global shortage at retail and, most dire, a lack of hand sanitizer for front-line medical personnel.

Bell International Laboratories, Eagan, MN, is a leading vertically​ integrated cosmetics manufacturer, providing cutting edge, innovative, and high-quality specialty products for consumer health, beauty, cosmetics and OTC industries across the product types of sun care, skin care, lip care, and hair care.

Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, hand sanitizer products were a sizeable business for Bell International Laboratories, which produced more than four million hand sanitizers last year. With the onset of COVID-19, all production capabilities have moved to hand sanitizer under the direct order of Saremi, who understands the urgency and duty to help contribute to the broader coronavirus relief efforts.

In the next few weeks, Bell will manufacture a total of 22 million units of hand sanitizer, in addition to the 1.5 million units made in the past few weeks. Output of hand sanitizer is of utmost importance to help with the spread of coronavirus and Saremi has dedicated his 250,000 square foot facility to continue to focus all efforts on hand sanitizer production. Saremi also notes that Bell will remain open and that all his employees’ health and safety is of greatest importance to him and he is grateful for their efforts. Enhanced and stringent safety measures have been put into effect to ensure the well-being of his employees during this time.

In difficult times like these, Saremi indubitably recognizes and acknowledges the need for hand sanitizer donations and is working diligently to provide first responders, including EMTS, fire departments, and hospitals, with the necessary hand sanitizer to help protect themselves. Nursing homes and additional high-risk establishments will also be provided with hand sanitizer for their use. Currently, the goal is to donate over 250,000 units of hand sanitizer during the next few weeks.

“At Bell, we will make sure we are doing our part to help the important relief efforts of COVID-19. We will work tirelessly and safely to manufacture to keep up with the demand for hand sanitizer,” said Saremi. “We are grateful to our employees for their work and thankful and supportive of the heroic efforts of all those involved in the coronavirus response.”

Bell International Laboratories will certainly continue to work diligently with the goal of providing hand sanitizer to all individuals to help live a safe and healthy life.

About the Author
Marisa Plescia is comprehensively and internationally educated in the field of cosmetic science in both the United States and Europe. After obtaining a B.S. in Biochemistry from Santa Clara University in 2011, Marisa focused her postgraduate studies on cosmetic chemistry. She completed the cosmetic science master’s program at the University of Cincinnati in 2015, earning a M.S. in Pharmaceutical Science with an emphasis in Cosmetic Science. Always wanting to learn more and experience as much as possible, she continued her cosmetic science education internationally and enrolled in ISIPCA (Institut Superieur International du Parfum de la Cosmetique et de’l Aromatique) for their European Fragrance and Cosmetic Master program. While living in Versailles, France and Padova, Italy, she studied the evaluation, formulation, marketing, and management of cosmetics and fragrance. She graduated in 2017 with a dual degree: M.Sc. European Fragrance and Cosmetics and a Master of Business and Management (MBM) specializing in the fragrance and cosmetic industry. Marisa is additionally passionate about STEM education and has a M.Ed. in Secondary STEM Education from University of Southern California. Marisa has been featured in numerous publications and speaker panels for her cosmetic science expertise, including for the Washington Post. Since 2017, Marisa has worked as an R&D Chemist at Bell International Laboratories in Eagan, MN.