Union Pacific’s Engineering and Supply Chain departments formed a cross-functional team to  make hand sanitizer for its employees, and, in turn, help a local Omaha business.

The goal? More than 400,000 ounces of hand sanitizer in 4-ounce and 8-ounce bottles for Union Pacific employees as they keep America moving during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It took a team to gather the raw materials, including rubbing alcohol, hand soap and aloe vera gel. Union Pacific's Bridge Inspection team found a source for 48,000 squeeze bottles.

Omaha’s Brickway Brewery & Distillery, which already was producing hand sanitizer for first responders and hospitals, mixed and packaged the railroad’s sanitizers.

"This is a creative way for the Union Pacific team to work together and find a solution while also supporting the community," said Union Pacific's Jim Holder, general director-Engineering Infrastructure and Operations Services, Engineering.

Once the bottles were sent to Union Pacific’s Council Bluffs, Iowa, warehouse and distributed throughout the system— including service units, offices and warehouses.