When disaster hits it’s not just the physical clear up operation that seems daunting, it’s the devastating impact it has on the on-going day-to-day business operations as Gaines Europe Ltd, experienced when its packaging storage facility at its Arklow site went up in flames.  

Left devastated by the fire, which struck the firm just before Christmas, the extent of the damage reduced the cardboard storage facility to ashes. The building could not be saved and re-building is expected to take up to two years to complete says the international pet food company.

Turning to the internet in search of a solution, Stephen Smith, engineering manager at Gaines, immediately spotted Spaciotempo. He called in the temporary building experts and tasked the firm with erecting a structure quickly so that the businesses could get back on track with limited disruption for customers in the wake of the aftermath.

Gaines Europe Ltd, part of Rondo Food, specialises in snack products for dogs and cats and has three modern production facilities, marketing products under its own name. It also manufacturers white label products for leading retail brands across the world.  Since Rondo Food was founded, around 60 million euros have been invested in its expansion at three production facilities in Arklow, Ireland and Krefeld and Halle in Germany.  The family-owned business started at the end of the 19th century with five members of staff and now employs over 400 people across its three sites. Gaines Europe Ltd was acquired by Rondo Food in 2011.

When disaster strikes, acting quickly is key to business survival

With natural disasters such as the recent Storm Doris taking its toll and causing mass destruction in its path, and the all too real reality of accidental fires and floods that harm businesses across the UK and Ireland such as Gaines Europe Ltd recently endured, temporary buildings are providing welcomed respite and breathing space for firms keen to ensure the impact on their business is limited as it recovers.

Stephen Smith at Gaines explains how Spaciotempo’s solution fitted the bill perfectly, turning what could have been an even worse situation for the firm in to one that has allowed it to function as normal: “While you know that a fire can potentially happen, you never really realise the true impact until it actually happens, nor can you fully prepare for the situation.

 “When our fire completely destroyed our cardboard storage facility our first thought was for our customers and ensuring we could deliver orders as planned so finding a solution to get us back up and running quickly was our priority. Spaciotempo couldn’t have been more helpful, even going that extra mile on Christmas Eve to provide me with information so we could move forward without delay!  I can’t thank the Spaciotempo team enough. 15 days after the fire, our 1,500 square foot temporary building, which we are leasing for two years, was up and working and it is business as usual while we plan for the re-build.”

Spaciotempo is experienced in dealing with disasters providing assembly halls, classrooms and sports halls to vital emergency storage for commercial companies and supermarkets alike.  The firm has a range of disaster recovery buildings from those that can be erected in 24 hours to bespoke solutions that take a little longer but are equally as quick to install and lead times are kept to a bare minimum.

Phil Tallon, area sales manager for Spaciotempo, explains: “We understand that in order to maintain production after a disaster strikes, companies have an urgent requirement for temporary warehousing, emergency storage or indeed production facilities, which is why acting quickly is critical. The fire at Gaines completely decimated a building and our solution, albeit temporary in this situation, has eased the pressure and we are delighted to have been the company’s resource in a time of need.  It took just 15 days from taking the initial enquiry from Stephen to meeting with him, undertaking a site visit, processing the specification and order to completion and installation of the building, making sure it was fit-for-purpose and designed to last for the duration.  And, the Christmas festivities didn’t stop our team working to ensure a speedy installation.”

Planning ahead makes disaster pain bearable

It is staggering the amount of disasters that hit companies in the UK and Ireland whether natural or accidental, but, nevertheless, whatever the situation the stress and inconvenience in the aftermath leaves many more in a spin.  A Government guide on ‘How Resilient Is Your Business To Disaster’ highlights that around half of businesses effected don’t recover; a very distressing fact.

Scott Jameson, managing director of Spaciotempo, adds: “A crisis can threaten the survival of a business and we have first-hand experience dealing with companies that are only too fully aware of that, jumping into action quickly to minimise the impact.  And, it doesn’t make a difference to whether it is a large or small company, the effects are equally as devastating. We urge firms to think ahead, have a recovery plan and identify suppliers just in case the situation arises and they are called in to action.  It’s better to be prepared and it doesn’t take long to put a plan in place and provide peace of mind.  Certainly once it is in place, it can be filed and hopefully never called upon.”

Managing director of Spaciotempo, Scott Jameson, is available to comment on all aspects of the temporary building industry.

Visit www.spaciotempo.co.uk to view drone footage of the fire damage at Gaines Europe Ltd in Arklow, Ireland.

About Gaines Europe Ltd

Gaines Europe Ltd specialises in snack products for dogs and cats and was acquired by Rondo Food in 2011.  The privately-owned group has three modern production facilities marketing products under its own name and manufacturers white label products for leading retail brands across the world.  Since Rondo Food was founded, around 60 million euros have been invested in its expansion at three production facilities in Arklow, Ireland and Krefeld and Halle in Germany.  The family-owned business started at the end of the 19th Century with five members of staff and now employs over 400 people across its three sites.

About Spaciotempo

Spaciotempo is a market leader in the design, manufacture, hire and sale of temporary buildings for the industrial, distribution, retail and sports sectors.

With offices and vast stock holdings in the UK, France and Spain, plus more than 40 years of experience, the company is able to provide an extensive range of standard or bespoke temporary building solutions throughout Europe.

Spaciotempo is part of GL events, a company that is fast becoming the global leader in the provision of temporary structures and event solutions. It now has a turnover of more than 900 million euros with offices throughout the world.

For further information, please contact:

Editorial – Rachel Baker, Marketing Manager at Spaciotempo on 07815 834818 or email rachel.baker@spaciotempo.co.uk

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