by Stephen Marks, Total Solutions Senior Director, GOJO
With many businesses working around the clock to open safely and return to some form of a “new normal,” we are seeing many looking to offer PURELL® Hand Sanitizer for the first time as part of that effort. For many businesses, the most appropriate solution may be through a dispensing system. However, the world of dispensing can be overwhelming and confusing for someone offering it for the first time, so we are here to help simplify this for you.
And if there is an expert on the topic of dispensing, it is us. After all, Jerry Lippmann, the co-founder of GOJO, invented the first-ever portion-control dispenser, for which he was granted a patent in 1952. This pivotal innovation paved the way for the company’s success in heavy-duty hand cleaning, and as a result, every dispenser on the wall today is a descendant of that first dispenser Jerry invented!
At its core, there are many benefits to dispensers, including:
- Portion control of the hand sanitizer or soap being dispensed
- Larger refill volume than typically available via bottles which makes them easier to maintain
- Better usability for users
- Improved aesthetics and experience for users
- Less clutter and less theft than bottles
Those benefits all sound great, but you may be thinking to yourself – it is just a hand sanitizer dispenser, aren’t they all the same? With 60+ years of dispensing experience, we can confidently say no! The below guide will help you determine what the best option for your establishment is.
1. Where do you want to put the dispenser?
This may seem like an obvious question, but there are different formats for different locations. At GOJO, we make 3 types: wall-mounted, free-standing, and counter-mount dispensers. Wall-mounted dispensers are by far the most common and are frequently preferred when there is wall space available nearby. Free-standing dispensers (both for floors and tabletops) leverage the same dispensers but offer an additional placement option where walls are not nearby. Finally, our counter-mount dispensers (primarily used for soap) provide the most permanent option, with the dispenser mounted to the countertop.
2. Do you want them to be touch-free or manual (push-style)?
The next question to ask yourself is whether you are looking for a touch-free or manual dispenser. Manual dispensers are the simplest dispensers, with a simple push bar that is pressed to deliver product. Touch-free dispensers typically offer a preferred customer experience and are more in demand recently, but they often come with additional battery cost and maintenance. Note, our most innovative dispenser, the PURELL® ES8 Dispensing System, is the only system that features the breakthrough ENERGY-ON-THE-REFILL™ technology eliminating the hassle of battery change-outs.
3. What refill product attributes are you looking for?
Next, you should determine what products you want to dispense (hand soap, sanitizer, or both), in what formats (foam, liquid, or gel), and other important characteristics (fragrance or non-fragranced, formula effectiveness, sustainability certifications).
4. Make sure the system features a SANITARY SEALED™ Design!
Many people considering dispensing for the first time consider systems that can be bulk filled with any product. They do not realize there are considerable public health risks and issues associated with refilling hand sanitizer and refilling hand soap dispensers. It is critical that your system features SANITARY SEALED™ refill cartridges to ensure you are offering a safe experience to your guests.
These key considerations should help you navigate the world of dispensing and help identify the best solution to fit your needs. It would help if you also consider the manufacturer’s experience and history for producing reliable dispensing innovation offered to minimize maintenance, effectiveness and scientific approach to the formula, and a brand that your visitors know and trust. With all this knowledge at hand, you are now ready to select the dispensing system that is best for you!