Powerflex's Factory...

[944 man]

...has burnt down! []

Eight appliances and forty firefighters attended, but everything was lost (machinery, tooling, stock, accounts, plans, specifications everything). Id be surprised if they are able to carry on without offsite backups: very sad.

Simon

 

[Neil Haughey]

or fire safes. Something many companies have but equally many don't like as you trade security against fire proofness. One place I worked at it was a religion to put regular tape backups in the fire safe.

Still very sad day, I do hope they can get up and running again soon.

 

[Alexw]

No way, thats a shame. I hope they didn't lose EVERYTHING... what a time for something like that to happen too.

 

[Super_Marv]

Noticed this yesterday.

I visited the site yesterday to look for an email address, to send them an email whether they'd be interesting in making the steering column bushes for the 944/68.

I didn't bother sending the email after reading the message on the main site.

Shame - like you say, lets hope they have off site backups somewhere, otherwise I can't see how they'd recover either []

 

[John Sims]

It sounds like they use silicone moulds rather than aluminium. This would make sense considering the very low volumes of each component.

PU pumps aren't that expensive and plant and materials would have been covered on insurance any way.

 

[andye]

I heard it may be a year until they are up and running - asuming they restart. I hope they have adequate insurance cover!

 

[tr7v8]

ORIGINAL: sc0tty

Hardly upsetting in the scheme of world events is it?!!

What a stupid comment! Upsetting if you're looking for the product & not good if it happens to be your employment[8|]

 

[ChasR]

For the classic car fraternity they will be. Although I guess SuperFlex are still around as are PolyBush.

 

[944 man]

ORIGINAL: PowerFlex

Dear Powerflex Partner

Some of you may have heard by now that we suffered a major fire at our factory last Wednesday evening.

We have had a tremendous number of messages of support and offers of help from customers, staff, friends and even competitors.

I will try to sum up the situation as we are today, Wednesday evening 2nd December. However this does change.

·******** After almost a week, the situation we are in is nowhere near as bad as we first feared. We have been able to save a tremendous amount of stock. We also have recovered the majority of the tooling, which of course is the valuable bit.

·******** We have rented a new factory unit and office space.

·******** We have set up all IT systems and restored all data.

·******** We have ordered new production equipment.

·******** We are kitting out the factory with racking.

·******** Installation of a dedicated electricity supply is complete.

·******** We have retained all staff, because without our loyal skilled staff we have nothing.

·******** We have full insurance and are working closely with them so that they can give us as much help and advice as possible.

·******** We have one phone line (full system being installed next week) and email working at sales@powerflex.co.uk

*

·******** If you have outstanding orders with us that you have not been advised have been shipped then assume that you will not get them. We are effectively cancelling all orders but as we get up and running we will contact everyone and ask to confirm new orders.

·******** If we owe you credits then please bear with us. Send us an email to confirm anything that you are concerned about. We will not let you down.

·******** If you are a supplier then please send us a statement and bear with us with regard to speed of communication. We need our great suppliers as much as we need our customers.

·******** Please look at your stock inventory and try not to sell the last one of any part numbers that you have. We may ask you to return some part numbers for us to use as masters for the new tooling, simply as a double check.

·******** If you owe us money, please put yourself in our position and do not hold out on us!

*

·******** Finally, we need all of our customers help and understanding. We will be back much faster than you think and we will be, stronger, better and bigger with your help. We will not be beaten by this. What we have left is much more than we thought possible.

We do not know what caused the fire at the moment, but most importantly of all, no one was hurt.

*

Once again, thank you to everyone who has sent kind messages.

We will be at Autosports International so please come and see us and you can buy the coffee!

We have a Facebook page that you can get to though our website homepage. It will be a big help if you can join this and show your support.

With very best regards from myself and all of the United Team at Powerflex.

*

David Power.

Until next time, the Powerflex Team.

Copied from ScoobyNet; although I expect that its been repeated on most enthusiast forums.

 

[ChasR]

Well, a similar post has been on TalkAudio and Retro Rides as well.

 

[Peter Empson]

ORIGINAL: sc0tty

Hardly upsetting in the scheme of world events is it?!!  

I can't think of anything even remotely polite to type... I'll just leave it at: []

 

[Peter Empson]

Just because you don't give a **** about something doesn't mean the rest of us can't. Your post was clearly intended to get a reaction (I don't understand - for what reason???) and I am sorry I rose to it, but that is all.

 

[beeRS]

ORIGINAL: sc0tty

You cant tell me that this is the only company in the uk that sells suspension bushes?!

Powerflex (or properly known as EPTG Ltd - as Powerflex is their brand name) are the only company that have covered many of the applications that they make. Over half their appliactions list is not covered by Superflex, Flo-flex, Whiteline....

Their temporary abscence has left a big gap in the market. It hasnt just affected the livelihoods of EPTG's owners, but also their employees, and to a lesser extent their suppliers and every retailer who sells Powerflex.

A am glad to hear that they are on the road to recovery though!

 

[beeRS]

The latest news from EPTG (Powerflex);

"A second week goes by in a flash and we are making real progress.
New equipment is arriving almost as fast as our bank account is emptying. Funnily enough the various insurance companies do not seem to be in quite the same rush to help as we are to rebuild our business.
The new factory is really taking shape and we firmly anticipate production to start before Christmas.
This will be to replenish stocks and manufacturing tooling. Currently you can assume that any outstanding orders will not be fulfilled but we will contact you in the new year as we start accepting order.
We have had many offers of help and we will certainly not forget the many customers and suppliers who have been most kind.
Please bear with us and we will be back on our feet sooner than we ever thought possible.
We have had many orders come in but realistically we cannot accept any until we advise. We need to focus on getting back to providing you with the first class product and service that you were used to.
With very best regards from myself and all of the United Team at Powerflex."

 

[944 man]

ORIGINAL: beeRS

The latest news from EPTG (Powerflex);

"A second week goes by in a flash and we are making real progress.
New equipment is arriving almost as fast as our bank account is emptying. Funnily enough the various insurance companies do not seem to be in quite the same rush to help as we are to rebuild our business.
The new factory is really taking shape and we firmly anticipate production to start before Christmas.
This will be to replenish stocks and manufacturing tooling. Currently you can assume that any outstanding orders will not be fulfilled but we will contact you in the new year as we start accepting order.
We have had many offers of help and we will certainly not forget the many customers and suppliers who have been most kind.
Please bear with us and we will be back on our feet sooner than we ever thought possible.
We have had many orders come in but realistically we cannot accept any until we advise. We need to focus on getting back to providing you with the first class product and service that you were used to.
With very best regards from myself and all of the United Team at Powerflex."
And finally: bollocks to James Scott!

EFA []