Pan Pac begins recovery after cyclone hits site hard
Pan Pac Forest Products, which is one of Hawke’s Bay’s largest employers, is beginning its recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle after its Whirinaki site was flooded by up to 2m.
The site, which is located next to the Esk River, saw water overwhelm stop banks around the site. Pan Pac’s early assessment of the site is a small amount of physical damage, but considerable damage to electrical and mechanical equipment from water and silt.
The company, which is owned by Oji Group, says it is already in recovery and rebuild mode, mindful of its responsibility to its 400 staff, as well as its contractors and suppliers.
Pan Pac Managing Director Tony Clifford says the company is fully insured for this event and is committed to rebuilding as safely and quickly as possible.
“Our first priority has been ensuring all our people are safe,” says Clifford
“We closed operations prior to the Cyclone hitting, and had stop banks in place (built in 1980s). But no one could anticipate the extent of water that would come down the Esk catchment.
“We are thankful that we lost no one on our site. The site remains closed and will be for the remainder of this week at least, as we work to make it safe and assess the damage. We do not want anyone to be put in danger and no one will be allowed to enter without authorisation.”
Pan Pac has a four-step recovery plan to get up and running and is working closely with the 400-plus contractors that depend on its business.
“We know many people are hurting. Pan Pac contributes 6% towards Hawke’s Bay’s GDP and many families rely on our business for their livelihoods.
“We aim to resume some forestry operations as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday this week, to provide work for our contractors.
Clifford says the company will also be reaching out to their immediate neighbours at Whirinaki who have been severely impacted.
“Our message to our Hawke’s Bay community, customers and suppliers is that we have been here 50 years and we are here to stay. We will rebuild.”
