Fire at production site candied fruit Royal Steensma

Damages limited to one factory hall, no injuries.

FRANEKER –  A raging fire on Thursday night 23rd of March  has completely destroyed one of in total eight factory halls of Royal Steensma in Franeker, manufacturer of bakery ingredients. At this location the production of candied and infused fruit for use in bread and pastry products is taking place. No one was injured. De damage is limited to this one hall where the low water activity fruits are produced, the rest of the candied fruit and infusion production has remained undamaged. This also applies to all stocks. Next Monday the regular production will be resumed. The cause of the fire is as yet unknown.

Customers will barely notice anything
According to general director  Rimmert de Jong of Royal Steensma luckily only the specialised production of dried  fruit is affected.  In order to proceed with production as usual, Royal Steensma has contacted companies abroad to take over the drying process  for the time being. According to De Jong  the main objective is for the customer to notice as little as possible.  “Everybody will still be able to enjoy the usual Easter Specialities, for which candied fruit is such an important ingredient.”

Spread of risk
It is a conscious choice for Royal Steensma to spread the production of the total product assortment of ingredients for bread and pastries accross the in total four production  facilities of Royal Steensma  in the Netherlands. This to avoid the risk of eventual calamities. This strategy is now paying off at the fire of the facility in Franeker

Size
The  facility  in Franeker amounts to a total size of 25.000 m2: the drying hall measures 1.000m2. In production of candied and infused fruit Royal Steensma has a leading position in the market. The products from this location are exported to over 50 countries in the whole world.  

We trust having informed you herewith sufficiently so far. Please do not hesitate to contact your contact person at Royal Steensma if any further questions arise.