Mangalore: Baikampady candle factory rebuilt in 6 months, production commences


Mangalore: Baikampady candle factory rebuilt in 6 months, production commences

Media Release

Mangalore, Jul 9: It was on January 10 six months ago when the lights seemed to go off the lives of several hundred people who worked for Primacy Industries – the country’s largest candle export house that illuminates millions of homes world wide.


Then: Fire that destroyed Primacy candle factory (file photo)


Now: Primacy factory rebuilt

The factory and offices of this world-class facility at Baikampady were gutted by a devastating fire accident. Fortunately there were no casualties, neither did anybody sustain injuries but the entire plant and machinery, equipment, raw material, packaging items and finished products worth several crores were reduced to ashes.
 
Within six months the factory has now been rebuilt and production has commenced, bringing back happiness to hundreds of employees of Primacy which is one of the largest employers at the Baikampady Industrial Estate.
 
"The fire destroyed everything and we felt devastated but it kindled our determination to build the factory all over again at the shortest possible time and we have now done it," said V K Talithaya, president, Primacy Industries.
 
Commending his team’s achievement, Gautham Pai, chairman, Primacy Industries said, "I am delighted with the resumption of operations and hope to see all the happy faces back at work soon." He added that this stupendous feat of the management team draws inspiration from the Group’s guiding philosophy that regards ‘People First’.
 
"We could not have accomplished as much but for the unstinted support of the local communities, authorities, financial institutions, vendors and customers who have trusted our Group's credibility and reposed confidence in our abilities," said Sagar Mukhopadhyay, vice-president (corporate affairs) at The Manipal Group of which Primacy Industries is a constituent enterprise.

It had taken marathon efforts lasting about 40 hours to douse the massive fire completely. The fire had left the entire factory in ashes.

 

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Comment on this article

  • Rakesh, Mangalore

    Wed, Jul 10 2013

    K. S. Mayya, these are decorative candles, of which almost 90% are exported and definitely not meant for use during a power failure.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • K.Fernandes, Mangalore

    Wed, Jul 10 2013

    Congratulations to the entire team of Candle factory to getting back to work within 10 months.By the photo, it look like well planned set-up. However unable see any fire detection/ fight system installed. Hope you have adopted all safety codes, specially automatic water spray as well as foam spray.

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • John DSouza, Mangalore

    Wed, Jul 10 2013

    It is good encouragement for us and an excellent consolation and support to youngsters who become desperate and lose hope in life, which leads them to take extreme steps. Excellent and courageous leadership of Shri V K Talithaya is highly appreciable.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Evans Christopher Sumitra, Udupi/New York, USA

    Wed, Jul 10 2013

    Congratulations to the management and staff of Primacy Industries, the country's largest candle export house situated at Baikampady. It is a great relieve to the employees who will start working again in the same premises with a better environment. It was a big challenging feat to rebuild the factory in just six months. Just thank God for all this and may he keep it safe.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • ROSHAN CASTELINO, MRPL/MANGALORE

    Tue, Jul 09 2013

    Shri V K Talithaya is a great leader...he does whatever he speaks. He is the personality and the trend setter behind MRPL's great work culture.. and now..he is with Primacy. Sir, good luck. You are giving bread and butter to more than 2000 families, mostly women working there. This is the greatest blessing upon You. Our best wishes are always with you.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, M'lore

    Tue, Jul 09 2013

    Nobody 'lit a candle' when the factory was burned down six months ago!
    Moral: To revive spirits, just go ahead, don't light a 'candle' and move around holding it like a dumbo calling it 'vigil' or some other nonsense!

    DisAgree [3] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr Prakash, surathkal

    Wed, Jul 10 2013

    Absolutely dot on the face and smack it. good word.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • K. S. Mayya, Mangalore/Bangalore

    Tue, Jul 09 2013

    No fault of the company...but it goes on to show the level of skill set our country can muster. These are the company that are only we can feel proud of....making candles. Does anybody know that paraffin is a petroleum product most probably a byproduct coming out of MRPL and all this company must be doing is melting it them, putting them into a die and cool them...result is you have a company that provides candles for whole of the country...or in the words of Daijiworld, lights houses throughout the country. Indirectly what this means is the following:
    (a) skill set only enough to perform manual labor of actually picking those cooled down sticks. If automated, those ladies are actually not required. Just because they are cheaply available labor, technology loses and we have employment created. Not bad as it sounds..but it's only low paid jobs that these companies are creating.
    2. Shortage of power generation means that you are left with candles.
    Sure I may sound like having this flare to criticize anything, but please...really?????

    DisAgree [6] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ted, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 09 2013

    Looks-like-the-Management-Team-received-a-fat-Cheque-from-the-Insurance-Company-as-Claim-amount.

    DisAgree [16] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Katapadi/Bangalore

    Tue, Jul 09 2013

    I wish you all the best in your rebuilt factory after the major incident.Please don't compromise on any safety measures and I am quite sure that you will rebuilt the factory with the able leadership and commited team of staff members.Thanq.

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • RSRB, Kundapura / KSA

    Tue, Jul 09 2013

    It is happy to note that the factory is rebuild as workers got back their job & owner can grow the business.

    But the biggest question remains the same i.e., whether the safety & environmental standards will be maintained or compromised? It is unfortunate that the President of the factory has completely failed to discharge his official (safety)& social responsibilities on behalf of company creating huge losses to the owner, creating fear in employees / locals and polluting the environment. As per the Industrial law, the president should be behind the bars for violating safety standards.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Umesh Salian, Uppala / Dubai

    Tue, Jul 09 2013

    Well done and congrats to all the management team that is instrumental not only building the enterprise /institution to face the uphil taks of recouperating but also taking care of the entire workforce.. who are indeed a backbone for every succesful business.... Keep up the good work.. and keep shining on....

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • ESKEY, UDUPI

    Tue, Jul 09 2013

    For those who wrote harsh / unnecessary comments accusing the Primacy management, it is time to EAT their own words.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [37] Reply Report Abuse

  • K Pai, Manipal

    Wed, Jul 10 2013

    I know Mr. Pai for more than 3 decades and we knew our strength on re-building the same (example is here in 6 months). So when people spoke negative about us, it never mattered to us and we were by our Management side.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • ESKEY, UDUPI

    Wed, Jul 10 2013

    Keep up your good work Sir. Those who know PAIs of Manipal closely will appreciate what is their contribution in the past 100 years to transform our area to what it is today. There must be thousands of households in our area who would be thankful for providing one of its members with a stable job, often used as a training platform to take-up better job elsewhere.
    I was a part of this group in late 80's for just over a couple of years. I am proud and most importantly thankful for that opportunity I got.
    Yes Sir, you should not be concerned about the negative remarks. It is clear that only small minded people talk ill about others.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jaimini P.B., Manipal,Sharjah

    Tue, Jul 09 2013

    You came out from the ashes...Well Done..Congrats..Your new motto should be ..SAFETY FIRST...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sandy, Udupi/UAE

    Tue, Jul 09 2013

    Great Job done by the Primacy Management!!!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • gerald, modankap

    Tue, Jul 09 2013

    please spent on safety and educate the people

    DisAgree Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Indian, Dakshina Kannada

    Tue, Jul 09 2013

    Congratulations on the resumption of operations. Let the smile on the workers faces be there always. This Deepawali festival will be brighter than ever for those who are connected with Primacy Industries.

    DisAgree Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • ESKEY, UDUPI

    Tue, Jul 09 2013

    Congrats Gautham, Thalithaya and your team. Wish you all the best.

    DisAgree Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • RSRB, Kundapura / KSA

    Tue, Jul 09 2013

    People manage nicely do not get credit. People spoil & then correct will always become heroes....!!

    DisAgree [3] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse


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