Thermoplastic manufacturer Omni Industries, whose warehouse and machinery were damaged by fire less than two weeks ago, is back to full production, while its sister company Flexpak is back to 80 per cent of production capacity.

"There is no need to import products manufactured by Omni Industries and Flexpak Limited, as production has now been resumed, demonstrating resilience in the midst of adversity," Jamaica Manufacturers Association (JMA) President Brian Pengelley advised in a statement issued on Monday.

It said Omni Industries has again started manufacturing of PVC pipes, which is key to its operation and that there is a full range of pipes in stock.

In addition, the injection-moulding department has managed to get two production units running at full speed in producing bottle crates, industrial buckets and houseware. Another four production units are expected to be up and running this week.

The January 19 fire, which gutted Omni Industries' warehouse and partially damaged machinery, had threatened to put workers out of jobs.

However, chairman Uwe Kumst said the majority of workers will be able to return to their posts within the next few days.

"We are very proud to have the support of hard-working employees who literally worked around the clock to make this happen," Kumst said.

Omni Industries, based at Twickenham Park, Spanish Town, St Catherine, manufactures PVC pipes and fittings, houseware and laundry plastic products as well as industrial plastic products.

According to information posted on its website, Flexpak Limited manufactures cling and stretch film which is used for, among other things, meat and vegetable overwrap; pallet wrapping for export and for safe, stabilised transportation; protective wrap for furniture and other manufactured items, and security wrap for airport baggage.

The firm is also located at Twickenham Park and is one of Jamaica's largest manufacturers of plain and printed polyethylene and polypropylene film and bags.

Its services include printing of high- and low-density poly bags, juice rolls, shopping and garbage bags, polypropylene bags and rolls.

business@gleanerjm.com