Factory rises from the ashes

Hamish Hutchinson • Published 28 Apr 2010 12:08 3 Comments

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State-of-the-art equipment has been installed in the rebuilt Benkert factory in Alva. (photo Jan van der Merwe)

AN ALVA factory which almost burned to the ground in one of the largest blazes even seen in the county has risen from the ashes.

The blaze at the Benkert UK factory in Alva Industrial Estate last November saw at its peak 100 firefighters work around the clock to battle the inferno although the paper store at the rear of the factory - which was the source of the fire - was extensively damaged and had to be demolished.

It is hoped that the cigarette making factory will return to full operating capacity before Christmas this year although in only a few months the factory itself, which suffered considerable smoke damage had been completely refurbished including plumbing, electrics and a new roof.

The fire could have meant the end for Benkert's 25 years in Alva but company directors of the family owned German business were determined to remain in the town and continue production at the site.

Production Director, Colin Morrison, told the Advertiser, "The family were adamant at the outset that they would rebuild and continue trading and since the fire the company's employees aided by numerous contractors and specialist have worked tirelessly, often in arduous weather conditions, to refurbish the buildings and the machinery and the restart of production was achieved ahead of schedule.

"This was a disaster for everyone and there has been a hue sigh of relief that no jobs have been lost, our customers have stayed with us and we are almost back to where we were before the fire.

"It has been a real team exercise to get where we are today and although it has been a terrible thing to go through we will come out of it with a state of the art facility and equipment that is as go, if not better, than anywhere else in the world."

During the refurbishment of the factory employees have been sent to Benkert's plants in Workington and also as far afield as Herne in Germany, which is the headquarters of the company in order to meet on-going customer's demands.

There are currently 150 employees working at the factory with another 40 spread between the sites in England and Germany but once the company take delivery of new printing presses in the summer the workers will be repatriated to the Alva factory.

Colin went on, "There was a decision taken by the directors to keep all the employees on board and the employees have been willing to make the sacrifice and move away from home.

"Some of our employees have been with us for more than 20 years and after the fire there was a lot of nervousness amongst them as it could have quite easily shut the factory down for good but hopefully we will come out the other end stronger."

The blaze meant the paper store had to be demolished and the company have also built a temporary ink store which will eventually be replaced by a new permanent store in October.

And the factory itself was extremely badly damaged by smoke and had to be de-contaminated and a new roof put on as it was also contaminated by the smoke.

To keep production going machinery was also moved to a warehouse in Alloa and to Germany although that had now been returned to the refurbished factory in Alva.

The company have also turned adversity into a positive change by improving their laboratory facilities in order to enhance the product and although the factory is still a work in progress Colin said the changes, even in just a few months has been remarkable.

"Some of our employees who have been down south couldn't believe the change in the factory. There has been a tremendous amount of work since Christmas when we had no roof, no power and the place was in complete darkness. The change really has been amazing and it is just great to be approaching some sort of normality," Colin went on.

"The directors and stakeholders are proud of the achievements made to date and also that all employees have retained their jobs. They would like to thank the workforce, local contractors and neighbours for their continuing support, co-operation and efforts."

Shortly after the fire Alva councillors and also local MP Gordon Banks vowed to do everything to keep Benkert in Alva despite the considerable damage caused by the blaze.

It saw considerable disruption the surrounding areas with residents in Alva and Menstrie advised to keep doors and windows shut whilst the fire was still burning.

The fire also resulted in nearby Alva Academy being closed for several days and other businesses on the industrial estate experienced disruption with most also being closed for several days.

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Hazelkaye
Unregistered User
May 1, 21:18
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A fire nit cigarette factory rises from the ashes!

PITY!

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Hazelkaye
Unregistered User
May 1, 21:20
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ie "

A FIRE HIT cigarette factory rises from the ashes"

What about ashes to ashes, dust to dust!

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DD
Unregistered User
Jun 6, 21:09
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I think the roofing and cladding boyz have done marshall construction and benkert proud. working in some of the worst weather conditions in 20 years. Well done boys

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