Manufacturer fights back after 21,000 sq ft spice factory destroyed by fire

Photo courtesy of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service

Gordon Rhodes & Son has started manufacturing again less than nine days after a devastating fire which destroyed its Bradford site.

The company has already sourced new production and warehousing units, equipment, ingredients and office space and has implemented a 24 hour a day production schedule to meet customer demand.

Customer orders started to go out today and more equipment is expected to be delivered this week to help the company continue to manufacture efficiently and meet demand.

Fifteen fire engines attended the fire, which broke out late at night on August 9, on Chase Way.

Around 80 firefighters battled to get hold of the fire overnight and throughout the day.

The building was extensively damaged and the warehouse had collapsed in parts due to the heat, making it unsafe for firefighters to enter the building.

The 21,000 sq ft site was used to store flour, seeds, herbs and spices.

Ian Rhodes, senior director, said: “I am so proud of the business. We have shown complete resilience and come back from the brink of disaster fighting.

“To have orders being delivered to customers after only seven working days since the fire shows our customers that we will do anything to ensure that they receive the highest levels of customer service that they have come to expect from working with our company. The staff have all been outstanding and they have worked incredibly hard to get this turned around in such a short amount of time.”

Rhodes added: “Our suppliers have also been magnificent and without them we would not have achieved what we have so far. To get back to where we were before the fire will be a tough slog but if the last couple of weeks are anything to go by, we will rise to the challenge and be there in no time!”

Gordon Rhodes & Son is a privately owned company with its head office and manufacturing based in Bradford with offices also in Lothian, Warwick and Newcastle. It employs more than 100 people.

Founded in 1979 by Gordon Rhodes and his son Ian, the company makes seasonings, fine food ingredients, culinary and functional blends.

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