Firm rises phoenix-like from £1.7m fire
A WEST Midlands engineering firm is set to return to full production following a devastating fire which ripped through one of its factories causing damage put at £1.7m.
Finishing specialist Hard Anodising’s production suffered considerable disruption following the fire, which broke out in a factory on the Firs Industrial Estate in Kidderminster in August 2010.
The firm has replaced outdated plant lost in the fire with the latest state-of-the-art equipment. It has also boosted overall capacity by redesigning the layout of its production areas.
It said it was now confident it could offer its customers a better service than before the fire.
Phil Bayliss, managing director, said: “We had just begun work that Monday morning when suddenly all hell broke loose and there were great plumes of black smoke everywhere.
“The building was immediately evacuated and thankfully everybody got out OK.”
More than 40 firefighters and nine fire appliances from across Worcestershire were called to tackle the fire. Flames up to 100ft high and thick clouds of smoke could be seen billowing out from the single-story building. The fire is believed to have started in an extraction system.
While the roof of the factory collapsed and most of the plant and equipment it contained was damaged or destroyed, on-site protection measures prevented any environmental pollution.
The company tried to resolve production problems by switching operations to its other factory, which is on the same site. The move not only ensured the firm stayed in business but it was able to avoid making any redundancies or laying off staff.
“I think we’re in a better position compared to where we were before,” added Mr Bayliss.
“The fire has given us the opportunity to lay out the factory in line with modern standards and practices, and we have spent a lot of money on fitting it out with brand new plant and equipment.
“All this will improve our workflow, making us more productive and efficient, and make our already quick turnaround times even quicker. The new-look factory is also a much more attractive facility to show our customers.”
Hard Anodising, founded in 1971, offers a number of specialist metal finishing services including Hard, Sulphuric, and Chromic anodising, sulphuric acid and coloured anodising, chromate coatings and electroless nickel plating. It undertakes both prototype and high volume work for customers spread among the automotive, aerospace, marine, defence, medical, engineering and manufacturing sectors.
