Van Osch Snacks gets a lifeline from Jackit

Fire in your business is cause for panic. How do you make sure you can resume production and supply customers as quickly as possible? At Van Osch Snacks in Zaltbommel, they kept their cool and called Jackit. In five days they repaired the production areas with Sealwise.  

On June 14, 2023, Mayk Willems of Van Osch Snacks in Zaltbommel was called out of bed: 'There is a fire!' He "flew" to the company. "It was exciting because I didn't know yet how bad it was. My thoughts went from a little bit to immense damage to completely burned down. When I arrived, the roof was still on fire. The fire department was extinguishing in full force and all that firewater was running down the walls and taking everything it encountered in the stream...." 

No time to lose 

Mayk, along with an associate, is at the helm of Van Osch Snacks. He was "born and raised" in snacks. His parents were real "snackers" at Van der Vorst Willems BV, the company that was renamed Mora after the sale. "At Van Osch we make 100,000 kilograms of minced meat products, fresh minced meat and meat preparations every week. We supply these to cafeterias, seasonal businesses, catering locations, gas stations, institutional kitchens and sports canteens, among others. The snack business is in my DNA. I dare say that I am one of the few people who has ever made everything myself: spring rolls, satay, noodles, meat snacks and more. I know all the ins and outs per product." 

During and immediately after the fire, Mayk spoke with many experts; from the fire chief, Salvage Foundation representatives to an insurance agent. "Everyone has your best interests at heart, but you're the one left holding the bag.' My brain was working overtime during these conversations. All I could think was, 'We have to get going again as soon as possible. We can't lose time AND customers!'"  

Mayk Willems en Jack Pluim

Jackit brought immediate relief 

"I had read an article about Jackit from Beekbergen and their application of Sealwise, a virus- and bacteria-free solution in the form of recycled and waterproof PVC panels. This could be our solution. I called owner Jack Pluim. He came right away. We shook hands and the deal was done within the hour." Together they created a plan, with the first interest being in restoring the production areas. Mayk wanted to restart production on June 21, a week after the fire. Until then, the company could supply their customers well from stock. 

Working non-stop 

Jack has been in the business for 25 years. His team has renovated ceilings and walls according to HACCP or BRC standards at many different food production companies, but he had never before completed such a challenging job as in Zaltbommel. Still, he knew it was going to work. "We started at 6 a.m. on Friday, June 16, and were finished by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20." Day and night, Jackit's 20 men worked to restore the three production areas. Jack explains his approach, "I called my people on Wednesday afternoon, June 14, saying, 'Take a paid day off on Thursday, because I need you Friday through Tuesday.'" In shifts, 24 hours a day, the work continued. Sealwise panels were pasted at night, finished during the day. The rooms had been emptied by Mayk and his colleagues. They also helped remove the packaging film. "This allowed the guys from Jackit to do what they do best," Mayk explained.  

After the production areas, the cold store and packing area were next. The same look was applied over four weekends. A total of 1,500 m2 of Sealwise was bonded, glued with Easyseal Innotec and finished with stainless steel. Jack points to the finish on the doors that is exactly the same in all areas. "Before we start, we agree on this, then only one working method applies."  

Making the right choices together 

Mayk and Jack look back on the project with satisfaction and pride. "We are both doers, we don't panic easily," Mayk reflects. "It turned out that you can achieve a lot in a short time with benevolent people. The insurance agent was impressed. Everyone who knows about the fire asks us how we could be 'up and running' again so quickly. Then I explain: 'It's all about calling the right people, making choices and being there for each other.'"

www.vanosch-bv.nl
www.jackit.nl 

Photos ©Studio38C