This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jan/21/too-wet-water-biscuits-carrs-pauses-production

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Too wet for water biscuits as Carr's pauses production Too wet for water biscuits as Carr's pauses production
(35 minutes later)
Carr’s Water Biscuits will be off the menu for several months after flooding hit production at its Carlisle factory.Carr’s Water Biscuits will be off the menu for several months after flooding hit production at its Carlisle factory.
United Biscuits, owner of the Carr’s and McVitie’s brands, has placed a newspaper advert headed: “Flooding in water biscuit factory. Oh the irony.” warning that it had been forced to temporarily cease production of the savoury snacks. United Biscuits, owner of the Carr’s and McVitie’s brands, has placed a newspaper advert headed: “Flooding in water biscuit factory. Oh the irony.” The advert warned the firm had been forced to temporarily cease production of the savoury snacks.
“Heavy rain has taken its toll on our community in Carlisle. And like many we have experienced significant damage,” the ad said.“Heavy rain has taken its toll on our community in Carlisle. And like many we have experienced significant damage,” the ad said.
There will also be shortages of other biscuits produced at the site, understood to include McVitie’s Ginger Nuts and Crawford’s Custard Creams and Crawford’s Shortcake.
The factory in Caldewgate was inundated with 5ft of floodwater on 6 December, with United Biscuits saying it would take several months to restart the brick ovens which give its water biscuits their distinctive taste and crunch. It said it had been unable to find alternative facilities elsewhere in the country to pick up production.The factory in Caldewgate was inundated with 5ft of floodwater on 6 December, with United Biscuits saying it would take several months to restart the brick ovens which give its water biscuits their distinctive taste and crunch. It said it had been unable to find alternative facilities elsewhere in the country to pick up production.
Around 400 staff, contractors and suppliers are now working to get the factory back into full working order. Production on one line, McVitie’s Gold Bar, has begun.Around 400 staff, contractors and suppliers are now working to get the factory back into full working order. Production on one line, McVitie’s Gold Bar, has begun.
Mike Heaney, factory general manager at United Biscuits, said in a recent statement: “Resuming factory production is a priority for us and our teams are well on track with this.” United Biscuits said: “Due to floods in Carlisle we are experiencing a shortage of a number products under the McVitie’s, Jacob’s, Carr’s and Crawford’s brands. We apologise if consumers are finding it difficult to get hold of some of these products and we are working hard at our Carlisle site to resume normal service as soon as possible.”
Plans for revival of the factory, one of Carlisle’s biggest employers, is a relief for the city. There had been fears that the business, which employs more than 600 people, would not be restarted as it was previously hit by flooding in 2005 when it was only reopened with the help of a £1m government grant. Plans to revive the factory, one of Carlisle’s biggest employers, comes as a relief for the city. There had been fears that the business, which employs more than 600 people, would not be restarted as it was previously hit by flooding in 2005 when it was only reopened with the help of a £1m government grant.
The insurance claim for the factory this time round could be as high as £50m, according to the local paper Carlisle News & Star. The figure is likely to include compensation for lost production, as well as repairs to the building and equipment.The insurance claim for the factory this time round could be as high as £50m, according to the local paper Carlisle News & Star. The figure is likely to include compensation for lost production, as well as repairs to the building and equipment.
Mike Heaney, factory general manager at United Biscuits, said: “Resuming factory production is a priority for us and our teams are well on track with this as our Gold Bar production has started. However we also recognise the importance of community at a time like this. Many of our employees have taken the time to support those most affected by the floods and keep spirits high, providing local rescue centres with supplies and carrying out local door-to-door biscuit drops.
“United Biscuits greatly appreciates the support that has been offered, and our thoughts remain with the thousands of people in Cumbria who have been impacted by the floods.”