Ocean Bio-Chem, parent company of Star brite, which makes maintenance and appearance products for the RV, marine, automotive and other similar industries, has announced record net sales for both the fourth quarter and its full year 2020.
For the fourth quarter of 2020, net sales were approximately $12.9 million, compared to approximately $9.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase of approximately 32 percent, or $3.2 million.
For the full year 2020, net sales were approximately $55.6 million, compared to approximately $42.3 million for the full year 2019, an increase of also approximately 32 percent, or $13.3 million.
“This is the fifth consecutive year in a row that the company had record fourth quarter net sales,” said Peter Dornau, president and CEO. “The fourth quarter 2020 sales growth was primarily in both our chlorine dioxide product group of disinfectants and sanitizers –including our branded Performacide product – as well as private-labeled products. In addition, the company also had a significant increase in its core product groups as well as its winterizing products and antifreeze sales.”
Dornau said that the pandemic had a direct effect on its sales.
“This is the eighth-consecutive year of record sales. The annual sales increase of $13.3 million is also a record sales growth for a full year.
“With the scarcity of many common bleach-based disinfectants or disinfecting wipes that use quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), customers were able to try out products – such as ours – that don’t rely on carcinogenic or poisonous residue to kill viruses and bacteria. We hope to see this trend continue for the health and safety of the population. We also have some great plans for 2021 to help educate customers on the benefits of disinfecting without harmful residue or caustic fumes.”
Dornau concluded, “We opened the year 2021 with a strong backlog of open sales orders of over $7.0 million, the largest in Company’s history at a year end. And with outdoor activities on the rise as well as the ongoing need for disinfecting products, we are optimistic that it will lead to increased sales growth in 2021 in all major product groups.”
