The entire manufacturing area of the Co Longford pet food factory devastated by an overnight fire is "destroyed" and around 450 workers are set to be temporarily laid off, it emerged this afternoon.
The managing director of C & D Pet Foods, Philip Reynolds, met with fire officers, the Garda and Siptu today to assess the implications of the fire which broke out shortly after 11 pm last night.
Although there were over 30 people in the 100,000 square foot factory at the time, no one was injured. At least five units of the fire brigade spent a number of hours bringing the fire under control and small fires continued to burn in to the afternoon.
Philip Reynolds
Mr Reynolds told ireland.comafter his series of meetings this afternoon that the structure housing the 60,000 square foot manufacturing plant was "unstable" and the machinery within was "beyond repair".
"We're in a situation where we have to replace both so there's an enormous amount of work to be done there," a distressed Mr Reynolds said.
He confirmed that "the root cause of the blaze was certainly in the cold-storage chill area of the plant" but that an exact cause had yet to be established.
He said there had been workers in that area up until their shift ended at mid-day yesterday.
"Had it broken out at any other time, it would probably just have been nothing and it would have been put out and we wouldn't be where we are today," he said.
The instability of the structure has hampered efforts to assess the cause though the office area of the factory was seriously not affected and workers were able to resume duties after a delay today. Forensic experts will also examine that area.
"This is a very sad and difficult time. I thank God that nobody was injured. I deeply regret the serious disruption to business this will inevitably cause our loyal and valued customers and suppliers.
"My thoughts are with our own fantastic staff, some of whom have been with us since my father founded C&D Foods in 1969. We are proud of all of them," Mr Reynolds said.
He said everyone connected to the company "was in limbo tonight" - a situation likely to pertain for at least the next two days.
The factory is the largest supplier of own-label pet food in Ireland and the United Kingdom, manufacturing 180 million cans and 160 million foil and pouch products annually. It has a turnover of €100 million.
Mr Reynolds said it would take some time to re-establish production and that it could not be assumed that outsourcing was an option.
"We are not really a branded business the bulk of our work is contract packaging ... so subcontracts are not ours to give. It's up to our customers - the decisions are not all mine to make."
Longford Co mayor Frank Kilbride said the damage to the factory was about the worst news possible for the town. "It's one of the biggest employers in the Midlands, let alone Edgeworthstown. It's absolutely devastating, and there is great concern in the town about this," he said.
The Fine Gael councillor added: "At this point in time, we have lost the best part of 400-500 jobs."
Labour TD Willie Penrose said people in Co Westmeath would also be affected and that there would be "serious consequences for the local economy".
Local Siptu official Niall Philips said prospects in the area were poor, particularly since a fire at a bacon factory in Rooskey, Co Roscommon, three years ago resulted in the loss of 350 jobs. He said the union would be working closely with management to secure "as many jobs as possible" at C&D.
The company is owned by the family of former taoiseach Albert Reynolds who founded the factory in 1969. It hit the headlines in 1992 when it emerged that a Saudi businessman, Khalid al-Masri, had invested £1.1 million in it as part of the passports for investment scheme. Mr (Albert) Reynolds denied he had any knowledge of the investment.