Randall Parker Foods' meat packaging factory near Andover in Hampshire is "80% back up and running" after a major blaze last Wednesday (12 December).
Up to 120 firefighters tackled the fire, which affected an area covering 135x65m, with 50% of the premises caught in the blaze.
Randall Parker Foods managing director Jim Gaffney said that although the fire was blown away from the main retail packaging area, a third of the plant was lost. This included four holding fridges and two freezer areas, the mincing, slicing and dicing operations, the transport office, a doctor's surgery and all staff amenities.
"I'm taking a positive view out of a negative situation – no one was hurt and the team pulled together, of which I'm immensely proud," he said.
Staff are now working in temporary accommodation and all Christmas orders are in place.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service evacuated six Randall Parker night-shift staff who were on the premises when the fire started and raised the alarm.
A fire service spokesman said the blaze had been classified as an electrical fire.
"The firm had recently had electrical work carried out and a replacement compressor fitted. The fire started in that room and there will be no further investigation," he said.
Gaffney added that the trade had been very supportive and helped the firm get 80% back in operation by the end of last week.
"We supply lamb products to Sainsbury's, Booker and Brakes and they've been marvellous," he said. "We'll be back to 100% strength by 1 January."
Randall Parker packs fresh lamb products into vacuum-packed and retail packs, as well as in Darfresh, a skin-tight wrap that prolongs the life of the product.
The firm has an annual turnover of £30m and employs 160 people.
Source: packagingnews
Up to 120 firefighters tackled the fire, which affected an area covering 135x65m, with 50% of the premises caught in the blaze.
Randall Parker Foods managing director Jim Gaffney said that although the fire was blown away from the main retail packaging area, a third of the plant was lost. This included four holding fridges and two freezer areas, the mincing, slicing and dicing operations, the transport office, a doctor's surgery and all staff amenities.
"I'm taking a positive view out of a negative situation – no one was hurt and the team pulled together, of which I'm immensely proud," he said.
Staff are now working in temporary accommodation and all Christmas orders are in place.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service evacuated six Randall Parker night-shift staff who were on the premises when the fire started and raised the alarm.
A fire service spokesman said the blaze had been classified as an electrical fire.
"The firm had recently had electrical work carried out and a replacement compressor fitted. The fire started in that room and there will be no further investigation," he said.
Gaffney added that the trade had been very supportive and helped the firm get 80% back in operation by the end of last week.
"We supply lamb products to Sainsbury's, Booker and Brakes and they've been marvellous," he said. "We'll be back to 100% strength by 1 January."
Randall Parker packs fresh lamb products into vacuum-packed and retail packs, as well as in Darfresh, a skin-tight wrap that prolongs the life of the product.
The firm has an annual turnover of £30m and employs 160 people.
Source: packagingnews
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