Business as usual at Carbery plant after fire

DESPITE some modifications to production schedules, the Carbery Group’s output isn’t likely to be unduly affected by a fire at its headquarters in Ballineen last Sunday evening, writes Denis Hurley.

The fire started on the roof of the firm’s alcohol distillation plant soon after 5pm on Sunday, its cause as yet unknown. Units of the Cork County Fire Service from neighbouring towns were quickly on the scene and brought the fire under control, with no injuries incurred.

Production at the alcohol plant, which operates at about 65% of capacity at this time of year, is suspended for the moment. 

Carbery, which is well known for making award-winning cheese, including its popular Dubliner brand, has not had its milk-gathering capabilities impinged, according to a senior member of management.  A meeting this week has dealt with any production difficulties which may have arisen, with a re-organisation of available resources.

‘We had to have a meeting to re-organise some elements of production,’ said JJ Walsh, sales and marketing manager, ‘but we’re still taking in all the milk that we would, there isn’t any change in that regard.

‘We’ll be operating on a slightly different portfolio for the moment, some products will be made in smaller quantities, but it’s nothing major,’ added Mr Walsh. ‘The alcohol plant was impacted and that’s out of production.’

The cause of the fire remains unknown as of now, as the Carbery board is waiting on the report of external investigators, who were on site this week to examine possible causes.