Colbree - Buncefield




Buncefield Petrol Storage Facility Explosion What effect has the explosion had on Colbree?
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Despite being seriously affected by our close proximity to a major disaster, Colbree are already staging a recovery. Limited production has been restarted in temporary premises and we expect to reach full production during February – less than 8 weeks after our building and the majority of our major plant was destroyed by the blast. Although we had no control over the events that have affected us, nonetheless we would like to apologise for the inconvenience that has been caused to our customers and suppliers. We would also like to thank you all for the overwhelming support we have received so far and hope that you will continue to work with us towards a successful recovery. We have been inundated with requests for more detailed information as words are insufficient to convey the scale of what happened. Therefore have added this pictorial page to our web-site to try to give customers and suppliers a better understanding of the issues we are facing.
		As the photos on the left show, Colbree was extremely close to the blast. These were taken 48 hours after the initial explosion and the fire is still raging.

	Initially, it looked like most of the damage was non-structural. It was 3 days before we were able to look inside and only then did the extent of the damage become apparent. We can only express thanks that it occurred on a Sunday, not during a working week

The blast shock carried through the building with such force that it lifted the roof and dropped it again, causing major structural damage to the frame supporting the roof.		Inside, every ceiling and partition wall was damaged or had collapsed, glass and brickwork was everywhere and machines had been moved from their floor mountings.

	The force breeched the concrete brick party walls and when it exited the building blew off all of the doors. The main frame of the whole building has been twisted, preventing safe removal of our machinery.

Some of our neighbours fared even worse. It has been reported that 60 – 80 companies in Hemel Hempstead will need to relocate and up to 5000 people will lose their jobs. Colbree was fortunate to have comprehensive disaster cover and relocation costs will be paid by this.

	All through the factory and offices, the damage was devastating. But within 72 hours, construction teams were making the building safe, on-site security was in place, containers were organised and Colbree staff kicked into action…..

Temporary offices, goods in and storage facilities were arranged at The Paper Trail’s premises in Apsley. Computer systems were set up and data restored, telephone lines organised and all key staff issued with mobile phones. As each section of the building is cleared, more goods are recovered.

Two barns have been rented on a nearby farm. In one, racks were erected as temporary stores, while in the other small production works have been set up for sub-assembly and light manufacturing. All the transportation has been done by Colbree staff, despite freezing conditions.		Local engineering companies, suppliers and even customers offered us spare capacity or space and small teams were organised to begin limited production over the Christmas period. Staff volunteered to work 24 hour shifts throughout their holiday period in order to reduce the impact on our customers delivery dates.

Each day, teams work on-site to recover and then transport , parts, material, tooling, programs etc to each production facility to maintain output. Scaffolding was set up to secure unstable walls and dismantle them block by block.		The cold snap and rain has hampered efforts but staff has worked tirelessly to recover whatever they can from the situation.

	As crash decks are erected over machinery to protect them in the event the roof collapses and the most dangerous area made safe, machine tool dealers have arranged transport to uplift recoverable machinery and the removal is now underway. Recoverable equipment will be taken to dealers premises for assessment.

	Meanwhile, a new 18,000 sq/ft factory 13 miles away in Pitstone has been secured and finance for the purchase has been approved by the banks. The vendor has kindly allowed contractors to begin work on fitting out the new facility even before contracts are exchanged and we expect to complete the initial installation by end of January.

To aid our recovery, our insurance company has already written off most of the major plant items and new machinery has been ordered for delivery to the new premises by January end.	Main production is forecast to commence at the end of January and then a gradual transfer from the temporary locations will take place	Our office can continue to operate remotely and will be transferred once the new location is ready for them. We expect this to take place in February.


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