A devastating fire broke out in the night between April 13 and 14. It started in the northwest corner of the building and took out approximately half of the office space. The manufacturing and warehouse areas were spared the direct fire damage, but the smoke damage was heavy and the electricity was out for a time. ATP and its customers directly suffered for approximately four weeks. Everyone pitched in to clean and worked Saturdays in order to minimize the effect on our customers and sales.
Approximately three months later during the night between July 21 and 22, a second fire broke out and eliminated the other half of the office space. This fire was determined to be arson and the criminal(s) remain at large. The smoke damage to the operation was minimal compared to the 1st fire. A major issue was psychological. The employees and customers were returning to a form of normal after the first fire and the second fire really dampened spirits.
The latest major event that picked up our spirits happened this week. The burnt remnants of the entire office were removed and preparation is underway for the rebuild. The best news for ATP and its customers is the rebuild will add additional approximately 5,000 square feet of warehouse space. We need the space to continue growth efforts. The offices are being constructed in a second company building across the shared parking lot.
The expectations have our business ahead of where we were on April 21, 2009 during the spring of 2010. Additional information will be added to this communication as it becomes available.
ATP thanks its dedicated employees for outstanding effort, determination and perseverance during these trying times and thanks our customers for their patience, understanding and business. Without the business, we could not survive. Thanks all!
As a manufacturing operation, we are at full strength and preparing for additional growth. Bring it on.