Boat production is back underway at Plastex – a little more than two months after suffering a disastrous fire.
The Polish company, which is an International Canoe Federation Gold Partner, was devastated when its factory in Warsaw went up in flames.
A huge fire engulfed the Plastex production facility, destroying 250 boats and 27 moulds as well as all the company’s top-quality machinery.
More than 10 fire engines arrived on the scene as they battled the blaze on the night of March 31, but nothing could be done to save the factory.
“I was shocked,” said Ryszard Seruga, Founder of Plastex.
“It was shortly before 8pm when a friend of mine called me and explained that our factory was on fire.
“I took my car and got to the factory to see the first and second floor on fire. It was impossible.
“All our workers arrived as soon as they got this information as it was on the news and radio.
“It is a situation where you are seeing your life’s work burning down.
“It was impossible to do something as the fire was so strong that you are having to accept this but with pain.”
Founded in 1990, Plastex has grown to become one of the world’s leading manufacturers of canoeing equipment, producing high-quality kayaks, canoes, surfskis, dragon boats, Para kayaks and paddles and exporting its products across the globe.
Plastex has also achieved plenty of success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games and supplied boats during Paris 2024.
Despite the devastation of the factory fire, Seruga and his workforce were determined to bounce back quickly.
“Just a few hours after the fire, we started to think about the reconstruction of our business,” said Seruga.
“It is the brand, not the facility, that gives us the opportunity to restart as everyone knows Plastex and wants to buy new boats.
“Now we will start to produce boats again in our new facility and that has happened with the help of our business partners and our staff who never stopped believing.”
On May 3, Plastex announced the opening of its brand-new production facility which is only 16 kilometres away from the previous factory.
Lukas Seruga, CEO of Plastex, said: “We are very positive about the future.
“When something like this happens, you have got to reevaluate what is important, not only in your life but your business, and decide what you can leave behind and move forward with.
“You reevaluate what the core of your business is and move on into a fresh chapter.
“We’d like to thank our partners, employees, clients and athletes for their incredible support during this challenging time.
“Together, we’re moving forward – more determined than ever.”
For more information on Plastex, click here.
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