Heinz restores Westwick volumes after severe fire
Production at Westwick restarted at the end of that month, and a Heinz spokesman told FoodManufacture.co.uk that co-packers are meeting further volume demands.
“Plans are under review to replace one manufacturing line that was damaged beyond repair by the fire,” said the spokesman.
“However, production volume across the remaining two lines, which were part of major investment in the last two years, has been dialled up and all staff [around 200] are fully deployed at the site.
“The remaining volume requirements are being sourced through Heinz co-packers. As a result of the fire investigation, measures have already put in place to prevent a recurrence but further details were not disclosed.”
Well-developed blaze
The Heinz spokesman added that the success of the recovery operation was a testament to the hard work and dedication of all site employees.
Around 100 firefighters from across Norfolk used foam, breathing apparatuses and an aerial ladder platform to tackle the “well-developed” blaze in a 100x100m square production area.
Some 50-60 staff were onsite at the time of the fire – which started in an industrial fat fryer on May 7 – but all were evacuated safely.
Heinz has invested millions of pounds in Westwick in recent years, including installing new potato cutting and direct packing equipment, as well as a new blancher.
As of last October, the factory produced 52,000t of produce a year, including Aunt Bessie’s branded Roast Potatoes, Chips, Wedges, Croquettes and Mid Week Mini Roasties.
