More than 500 entrepreneurs from across the country took part in Walmart’s U.S. Manufacturing Open Call event last month, vying for a chance to have their product featured in stores of the world’s largest retailer. One that stood out to Walmart buyers was Jack of All Sprays, a household lubricant, protector and cleaner developed in New Jersey by Eatontown-based American Oil & Supply International LLC.
American Oil & Supply, founded in Newark in 1895, developed the formula for Jack of All Sprays, a safe, odorless, no-drip, biodegradable and non-toxic product with countless household uses. Those range from loosening rusted and stuck nuts and bolts or helping sliding glass doors glide effortlessly, to protecting outdoor power and lawn equipment against rust and corrosion and or even cleaning and polishing stainless steel appliances. The multipurpose biodegradable lubricant stood out among the hundreds of product ideas presented in at Open Call.
With a focus on products manufactured in the U.S., the fourth annual Open Call event attracted companies of all sizes and focuses that are anxious to elevate production and reach more households.
“American entrepreneurship is on full display during Open Call,” said Cindi Marsiglio, Walmart vice president, U.S. Manufacturing. “This year’s event featured a fantastic show of innovation, and we are proud to extend an offer and digital shelf space on Walmart.com to today’s participants.”
Marsiglio noted that investments in U.S. manufacturing are important to job growth, as well as product innovation.
American Oil & Supply International LLC is a family-owned business that has been innovating since 1895, and has developed products for Bell-Labs, the U.S. Military, and other establishments in the oil and gas industry. It even had a partnership with Thomas Edison in the early 1900s. Up until now, the company’s national, independent brand of lubricants and greases has been primarily targeted to the automotive, commercial and industrial industries. The company has more than 300 formulations utilizing synthetic, semi-synthetic, mineral and biodegradable lubricants and greases. Jack of All Sprays represents the first product it is manufacturing for household use by individual consumers.
“Securing an opportunity to be on the shelves of the largest retailer in the world, potentially hundreds of Walmart stores, is a major opportunity for Jack of All Sprays,” said Chuck Decker, president, American Oil. “This is our first mass merchandising product – in fact this was our first pitch to a major retailer – and we’re very excited to work with Walmart.”
The 2017 Open Call event attracted participants from 47 states and Puerto Rico. Nearly half of the companies self-identify as diverse-owned, including 25 percent identifying as woman-owned. The event is part of Walmart’s investment in communities and job growth through its 10-year, $250 billion commitment to American manufacturing.
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