USC Alum's Company Changes Course During Crisis
April 06, 2020 | Trojan Athletic Fund, Trojan Outreach, USC Ripsit Blog
During World War II, Americans were called to do anything they could to help their country.
Merle Nethercutt Norman, the founder of Merle Norman Cosmetics, halted production of cosmetics so that the company could focus on the production of gun oil and camouflage sticks for the U.S. military.
Nearly 80 years later, the company, which is now chaired by USC alum Jack Nethercutt, is stepping up once again in the nation's time of crisis.
Nethercutt graduated from USC in 1958 and has been involved with USC Athletics ever since.
In 2013, Nethercutt and his wife, Helen, along with three other benefactors, donated the money to open Merle Norman Stadium on USC's campus — home to the women's beach volleyball program. The Nethercutts are also Galen Founders and season ticket holders for the men's basketball program. In addition, they've supported USC's Uytengsu Aquatics Center capital project and have contributed to the Trojan Marching Band's travel and uniform fund.
When the coronavirus outbreak hit the United States, Jack and Helen wanted to find a way to help. Their son, Travis, came up with the idea to use the company's equipment to manufacture hand sanitizer.
"He went to our chemist and she said, 'I can make it in a heartbeat,'" explained Helen. "And the rest is history."
The Nethercutts took 30,000 empty bottles that were meant to be filled with toner or liquid lotion, and designated them to be filled with World Health Organization-approved hand sanitizer instead. Soon, those bottles will be available to shoppers online.
They are also manufacturing 55-gallon drums of hand sanitizer in an effort to support the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Two of those drums have already been donated to medical personnel in Las Vegas and Carson City, Nev., and the Nethercutts hope to see many more of them go to the medical force and people on the front lines as well.
"We're going to fill every bottle and drum we have on hand," Helen said. "We've ordered more drums and more alcohol, and we're planning on running this all the way through June or July. We're not going to just make a few batches and stop. We're going to try and continuously make it as long as we have the need."
Helen is happy to be helping the nation in a time of crisis just like her husband's great aunt did nearly 80 years ago.
"I'm very, very proud of our company," she said. "Most of all, I'm proud of our employees. These employees are all wearing masks, gowns, following all the necessary guidelines. They're coming to work to do this for the country. I'm very proud of them."
Merle Nethercutt Norman, the founder of Merle Norman Cosmetics, halted production of cosmetics so that the company could focus on the production of gun oil and camouflage sticks for the U.S. military.Nearly 80 years later, the company, which is now chaired by USC alum Jack Nethercutt, is stepping up once again in the nation's time of crisis.
Nethercutt graduated from USC in 1958 and has been involved with USC Athletics ever since.
In 2013, Nethercutt and his wife, Helen, along with three other benefactors, donated the money to open Merle Norman Stadium on USC's campus — home to the women's beach volleyball program. The Nethercutts are also Galen Founders and season ticket holders for the men's basketball program. In addition, they've supported USC's Uytengsu Aquatics Center capital project and have contributed to the Trojan Marching Band's travel and uniform fund.
When the coronavirus outbreak hit the United States, Jack and Helen wanted to find a way to help. Their son, Travis, came up with the idea to use the company's equipment to manufacture hand sanitizer.
"He went to our chemist and she said, 'I can make it in a heartbeat,'" explained Helen. "And the rest is history."
The Nethercutts took 30,000 empty bottles that were meant to be filled with toner or liquid lotion, and designated them to be filled with World Health Organization-approved hand sanitizer instead. Soon, those bottles will be available to shoppers online.
They are also manufacturing 55-gallon drums of hand sanitizer in an effort to support the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Two of those drums have already been donated to medical personnel in Las Vegas and Carson City, Nev., and the Nethercutts hope to see many more of them go to the medical force and people on the front lines as well.
"We're going to fill every bottle and drum we have on hand," Helen said. "We've ordered more drums and more alcohol, and we're planning on running this all the way through June or July. We're not going to just make a few batches and stop. We're going to try and continuously make it as long as we have the need."
Helen is happy to be helping the nation in a time of crisis just like her husband's great aunt did nearly 80 years ago.
"I'm very, very proud of our company," she said. "Most of all, I'm proud of our employees. These employees are all wearing masks, gowns, following all the necessary guidelines. They're coming to work to do this for the country. I'm very proud of them."
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