Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Kettering-based housewares company Austin White was hit by flash floods on Thursday June 14.
An intense downpour caused the stream that runs at the back of the warehouse to burst its banks. More than 15in of water flooded through the offices and warehouse causing considerable damage to both stock and the offices. However, the company says supply will not be interrupted.
Staff stayed on well into the evening and managed to save computers and files. They only left the building on the advice of the police and fire brigade as manhole covers outside on the main road had lifted.
Other companies on the Pytchley Lodge Road Industrial Estate were also affected. Eight people had to be rescued by boat and some cars had to be abandoned as the flash flood worsened.
“Our staff have been magnificent,” said Austin White managing director Geoff Hounslea. “They arrived at work at first light on the Friday and commenced with the big clean-up. Staff and agency workers worked over the weekend to ensure that we could open for business on the Monday morning.”
He said it would be at least six weeks before the company returned to normal, but he was confident that customers would suffer no disruption in supply.
