ARLINGTON, VA – The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) President and CEO Eric R. Byer issued the following statement regarding a letter the association sent to President Trump and all 50 U.S. governors urging them to keep chemical distribution operations open because of the industry’s crucial role in ensuring the wellbeing of both citizens and businesses across the country.

 “Chemical distributors play a vital role in the U.S. economy, delivering products to more than 750,000 customers across the country. Many of these customers are in industries critical to public health, such as food, personal care, pharmaceuticals, soaps and detergents, water treatment, and more. As cities and states across the nation respond to the COVID-19 crisis, it is imperative that chemical distributors are allowed to continue their important work to support their communities by delivering valuable products that keep the U.S. economy functioning and can help mitigate the worst impacts of this coronavirus.

“Without the chemical products and transportation services supplied by the distribution sector, supply chains will be severely strained and many manufacturers will be unable to run at full capacity in producing the goods so many people need to survive the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally, critical municipal infrastructure like water treatment plants, which many distributors supply necessary products to for their operations, could be negatively impacted if chemical distributors are forced to reduce their operations at exactly the moment the healthcare system braces for an increased number of cases.

“NACD and our member companies stand ready to work with our partners in industry and government to support communities across the nation in their efforts to combat the growing threat of COVID-19. Therefore, we urge President Trump and every governor across the country to include the chemical distribution industry in their crisis response plans, ensuring that goods vital to facilitating that response are able to make it to the people who need them the most and help stem the tide of this rapidly spreading illness.”